Effect of herb supplement on hepatic enzyme activities in ddY mice

Abstract

SummaryPlasma glucose and lipid concentrations and hepatic enzyme activiti es were measured in male ddY mice supplemented with the herb, Ec h e va ria gla uc a , to examine the effect of herbal treatm ent. In mice supplemented with the herb, plasma triglyceride (T G ) and free fatt y acid (FFA) concentrations decreased and hepatic glyc olytic enzyme and glutathione peroxidase (GSHpx) act ivities increased significantly compared with those in the nontreated control mice. T hese increases in hepatic enzyme activities were not fully dosedependent, however the higher dose and longer duration with herb supplement induced increases in the enzyme acti vities. It was found that dietary herb supplement caused an acceleration of hepatic function, judged by increased act ivities of glycolytic enzyme and GSHpx in ddY mice.