Inhibition of anti-Fas antibody-induced mice hepatitis by furocoumarin derivatives.

The effects of imperatorin and its synthetic derivative, Y355, on anti-Fas antibody-induced mice hepatitis were studied. Pretreatment of mice by intraperitoneal administration of imperatorine or Y355 at 30 mg/kg inhibited more than 80% of the anti-Fas antibody (150 microg/kg, i.v.)-induced elevation of plasma alanine aminotransferase activity. Furthermore, oral administration of imperatorin or Y355 at 100 mg/kg also had an inhibitory effect on anti-Fas antibody-induced hepatitis. Both compounds inhibited anti-Fas antibody (250 microg/kg)-induced caspase-1 and caspase-3 activities. The present results showed the inhibition of anti-Fas antibody-induced hepatitis by imperatorin and Y355, which might be a result of inhibition of caspase activities.