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Protective effects of ellagic acid on ethanol-induced toxicity in hepatic HepG2 cells

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Abstract

Ellagic acid (EA) is a phenolic compound found in fruits and nuts, including raspberries, strawberries, grapes and walnuts. In the present study, we examined the hepatoprotective effects of ellagic acid from the Korean raspberry (Rubus coreanus Miq.) compared to alcohol-induced toxicity in vitro. Ethanolinduced HepG2 cells were treated with EA at three concentrations (1, 10 and 100 μM), and then the protective effects of EA were evaluated through the regulation of NO, TGF-β1 and SR-B1 production. In response to the exposure of ethanol, the productions of NO, TGF-β1 and SR-B1 were increased and EA pretreatment significantly recovered NO release and TGF-β1 expression at the baseline level except for SR-B1 protein. EA at 100 μM more increased SR-B1 expression in ethanol treated cells whereas there is no changed without ethanol. Elevated SR-B1 expression seems to be positive effects on the regulation of cholesterol efflux and atherosclerosis. These findings suggest that EA from R. coreanus could be beneficial for the alleviation of alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Herbal Medicine Resources, Kangwon National University, Samcheok, 245-710, Korea

    Eun-Hwa Sohn & Jung Dae Lim

  2. Department of Life Science, Gachon University, Seongnam, 461-701, Korea

    Hyun Jung Koo, Seon-A Jang & Se Chan Kang

  3. School of Medicine, Tan Tao University, Tan Duc Ecity, Duc Hoa, Long An Province, Vietnam

    Do Thi Thu Hang

  4. Department of Physical Therapy, Kangwon National University, Samcheok, 245-710, Korea

    Seung Namkoong

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  1. Eun-Hwa Sohn
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  2. Hyun Jung Koo
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  4. Seon-A Jang
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  6. Jung Dae Lim
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Correspondence to Se Chan Kang.

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Sohn, EH., Koo, H.J., Hang, D.T.T. et al. Protective effects of ellagic acid on ethanol-induced toxicity in hepatic HepG2 cells. Mol. Cell. Toxicol. 9, 249–256 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13273-013-0032-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13273-013-0032-1

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