Astragalus Polysaccharides and Saponins Alleviate Liver Injury and Regulate Gut Microbiota in Alcohol Liver Disease Mice

Abstract

Astragalus, a medical and edible plant in China, shows several bioactive properties. However, the role of astragalus in attenuating alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is less clear. The objective of this project is to investigate the improving effect of astragalus saponins (AS) and astragalus polysaccharides (AP), which are the two primary constituents in astragalus on hepatic injury induced by alcohol, and the potential mechanisms of action. Different doses of AS (50 and 100 mg/kg bw) and AP (300 and 600 mg/kg bw) were orally given to alcohol-treated mice for four weeks. The results demonstrated that both AP and AS could reverse the increase of the levels of TC, TG, FFA, and LDL-C in serum, and the decrease of serum HDL-C content, as well as the elevation of hepatic TC and TG levels induced by alcohol. The activities of AST, ALT, ALP, and γ-GT in ALD mice were raised after AP and AS supplementation. The antioxidant markers (SOD, CAT, GSH, and GSH-Px) were obviously augmented and the pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β) and hepatic histological variations were alleviated by AP and AS, which was in line with the levels of oxidative stress-associated genes (Keap1, Nfe2l2, Nqo1, and Hmox1) and inflammation-associated genes (Tlr4, Myd88 and Nfkb1). In addition, AS exerted a more efficient effect than AP and the results presented dose proportionality. Moreover, AS and AP could modulate the intestinal microbiota disturbance induced by alcohol. Overall, AS and AP administration could ameliorate lipid accumulation in the serum and liver, as well as hepatic function, oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and gut flora disorders in mice as a result of alcohol.

Salmon sperm DNA prevents acute liver injury by regulating alcohol‐induced steatosis and restores chronic hepatosis via alleviating inflammation and apoptosis

“…It is known that significant abnormalities in the intestine and an increase in serum IL‐1β levels are induced by regular consumption of alcohol. Furthermore, numerous studies have shown that the LPS‐TLR4/NF‐κB signaling pathway is closely associated with biological inflammation (Ju & Tacke, 2016; Tang et al, 2021; Xiao et al, 2020; Zhao et al, 2021; Zhou et al, 2021). The results showed that the liver LBP, TLR4, NF‐κB, and TGF‐β mRNA levels of the model group were higher than those in the control group (Figure 11).…”

“…In addition, Kupffer cells can activate hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) by producing the profibrotic cytokine TGF‐β (Ju & Tacke, 2016). There are several reports that endotoxin‐TLR4 NF‐κB pathway‐mediated inflammation may be one of its mechanisms of action to ameliorate alcoholic liver injury (Ju & Tacke, 2016; Tang et al, 2021; Xiao et al, 2020; Zhao et al, 2021; Zhou et al, 2021). Consistent with previous findings, we have shown that the liver LBP (LPS binding protein, receptor for LPS), TLR4, NF‐κB, and TGF‐β mRNA levels of the model group were higher than those in the control group.…”

Effects of Astragalus, Epimedium, and Fructus Ligustri Lucidi extractive on antioxidant capacity, production performance, and immune mechanism of breeding pigeons under stress

“…When liver dysfunction or hepatocytes are damaged, ALT and AST activities will increase significantly ( Xu et al, 2021 ). In stressed pigeons, Astragalus membranaceus and Ligustrum lucidum administration decreased blood levels of ALT, demonstrating their significance in reducing the detrimental effects of heat stress ( Lin et al, 2007 ; Abdelli et al, 2021 ; Zhou et al, 2021a ). The results of this test are similar to those of previous studies.…”

Amelioration effects of the soybean lecithin–gallic acid complex on iron-overload-induced oxidative stress and liver damage in C57BL/6J mice

“… 2008 ; Zhou et al. 2021 ). In this study, the elevated levels of MDA, TC and TG was observed in iron overloaded mice.…”