2. Academic Validation
  3. A clinical experience-based Chinese herbal formula improves ethanol-induced drunken behavior and hepatic steatohepatitis in mice models

A clinical experience-based Chinese herbal formula improves ethanol-induced drunken behavior and hepatic steatohepatitis in mice models

  • Chin Med. 2023 May 1;18(1):47. doi: 10.1186/s13020-023-00753-5.
Han Gao # 1 2 3,  Zhen Li # 2 4,  Yao Liu # 2 5,  Yong-Kang Zhao 2 6,  Cheng Cheng 2 7,  Feng Qiu 2,  Yuan Gao 2,  Ya-Wen Lu 2,  Xin-Hua Song 2,  Jia-Bo Wang 8 9,  Zhi-Tao Ma 10
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 College of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China.
  • 2 School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China.
  • 3 Department of Hepatology, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China.
  • 4 College of Pharmacy, Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Henan, 450046, Zhengzhou, China.
  • 5 Department of Infectious Disease, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100010, China.
  • 6 College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China.
  • 7 Department of Pharmacy, Jincheng General Hospital, Jincheng, 048006, Shanxi, China.
  • 8 College of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China. [email protected].
  • 9 School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China. [email protected].
  • 10 School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China. [email protected].
  • # Contributed equally.
PMID: 37127639 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-023-00753-5
Abstract

Background: Bao-Gan-Xing-Jiu-Wan (BGXJW) is a clinical experience-based Chinese herbal formula. Its efficacy, pharmacological safety, targeted function, process quality, and other aspects have met the evaluation standards and the latest requirements of preparations. It could prevent and alleviate the symptoms of drunkenness and alcoholic liver injury clinically. The present work aims to elucidate whether BGXJW could protect against drunkenness and alcoholic liver disease in mice and explore the associated mechanism.

Material and methods: We used acute-on-chronic (NIAAA) mice model to induce alcoholic steatosis, and alcohol binge-drinking model to reappear the drunk condition. BGXJW at indicated doses were administered by oral gavage respectively to analyze its effects on alcoholic liver injury and the associated molecular mechanisms.

Results: BGXJW had no cardiac, hepatic, renal, or intestinal toxicity in mice. Alcoholic liver injury and steatosis in the NIAAA mode were effectively prevented by BGXJW treatment. BGXJW increased the expression of alcohol metabolizing enzymes ADH, CYP2E1, and ALDH2 to enhance alcohol metabolism, inhibited steatosis through regulating lipid metabolism, counteracted alcohol-induced upregulation of lipid synthesis related proteins SREBP1, FASN, and SCD1, meanwhile it enhanced fatty acids β-oxidation related proteins PPAR-α and CPT1A. Alcohol taken enhanced pro-inflammatory TNF-α, IL-6 and down-regulated the anti-inflammatory IL-10 expression in the liver, which were also reversed by BGXJW administration. Moreover, BGXJW significantly decreased the blood ethanol concentration and alleviated drunkenness in the alcohol binge-drinking mice model.

Conclusions: BGXJW could effectively relieve drunkenness and prevent alcoholic liver disease by regulating lipid metabolism, inflammatory response, and alcohol metabolism.

Keywords

Alcoholic liver disease; Drunken behavior; Ethanol metabolism; Inflammation; Steatosis; Traditional Chinese medicine.

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