Protective effect of saponins derived from roots of Platycodon grandiflorum on tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced oxidative hepatotoxicity.

There is increasing evidence that oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of various diseases, including alcoholic liver injury. In the present work, we investigate the protective effects of the saponins isolated from the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum A. DC (Campanulaceae), Changkil saponins (CKS), on the tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced oxidative injury (hepatotoxicity) in cultured rat primary hepatocytes and in rat livers. CKS significantly reduced t-BHP-induced oxidative injuries in cultured rat hepatocytes, as determined by cell cytotoxicity, intracellular glutathione (GSH) content and lipid peroxidation in a dose-dependent manner. CKS provided good protection from the t-BHP-induced production of intracellular reactive oxygen species and DNA damage. In addition, CKS was able to quench 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals and the superoxide radical. The in vivo study showed that the pretreatment with CKS prior to the administration of t-BHP significantly prevented the increase in the serum levels of hepatic enzyme markers (alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase) and reduced oxidative stress, such as GSH content and lipid peroxidation, in the liver in a dose-dependent manner. These results support the anti-oxidative role of CKS, and demonstrate that CKS can scavenge oxygen free radicals and protect cells from oxidative stress.