A Homogalacturonan from Peel of Winter Jujube (Zizyphus jujuba Mill. cv. Dongzao): Characterization and Protective Effects against CCl4-Induced Liver Injury

Abstract

A homogalacturonan pectin (HG, designated as WJP-F80) was extracted from the peel of winter jujube (Zizyphus jujuba Mill. Cv. Dongzao) and separated via ethanol-graded precipitation. The structural and conformational features were elucidated through HPAEC-PAD, GC-MS, 2D NMR, and HPSEC-MALLS studies. In vivo assessments were carried out to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of WJP-F80 against CCl4-induced injury of mice. Results showed that WJP-F80 was a linear 1,4-α-galacturonan with partially methyl-esterified at O-6 of GalpA and occasionally acetylation. The Mw of WJP-F80 was determined as 45.3 kDa, the polydispersity was calculated as 1.56, and the Rg was measured as 22.7 nm in 0.1 M NaNO3. The conformational analysis revealed that WJP-F80 exhibited as rigid stiff chain in low Mw range, while aggregation by self-assembly of HG chains lead to high Mw and random coil conformation. In vivo studies indicated that WJP-F80 can protect the livers of mice from acute injury induced via CCl4 by decreasing the serum biochemical markers of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) to normal levels. This work provides a theoretical basis for the value-added deep processing of winter jujube.

Transcriptomic analysis reveals pharmacological mechanisms mediating efficacy of Yangyinghuoxue Decoction in CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats

“…This finding was novel, although some botanical drugs used in YYHXD have been found to regulate aliphatic acid synthesis and metabolism or activate the AMPK signaling pathway. For example, Qiang Zhang et al found that the active metabolite of Radix Bupleuri, β-sitosterol, reduced lipid accretion in hepatocytes processing free aliphatic acids by activating the PPARγ-UCP-1 pathway, thus exerting anti-hepatic fibrosis effects (Zhang Y. et al, 2022). Lei et al (2022) found that the traditional Chinese medicine formula Chaihu Shugan powder (containing Radix Bupleuri as the main metabolite) ameliorated lipid accretion in the livers of mice with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, inhibited secretion of inflammatory cytokines in hepatic tissues, and inhibited synthesis of aliphatic acids in the liver.…”

“…Dahuang extract emodin has been discovered to reduce liver oxidative stress injury by activating the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway ( Lee D. et al, 2020 ), while Huangqin extract baicalin alleviates hepatic fibrosis by inducing hepatic stellate cell ferroptosis (Liu et al, 2022). Dazao has been shown to have liver-protective, anti-cancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities ( Sun et al, 2022 ), and Gancao alleviates hepatic tissue inflammation and fibrosis damage ( Guo et al, 2023 ). The combination of these botanical drugs can exert synergistic effects across many traditional therapeutic actions and pharmacological mechanisms.…”