Effects of the Kunlun snow chrysanthemum polysaccharides on acetaminophen-induced oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis using animal model.

To investigate the preventive effect of Kunlun snow chrysanthemum polysaccharides (KSCP) on acetaminophen (AP) induced liver damage and its possible mechanism. Mice acute liver injury model was established via intraperitoneal injection of AP (300 mg/kg). The biochemical indicators of plasma and liver tissue were tested. The effects of KSCP on the liver index were examined. The liver pathological changes were investigated. The expressions of related protein were detected via Western blotting. In our study, compared with model group, the concentrations and contents of ALT, AST, TNF-α, IL-1β and MDA were reduced and activities of SOD were increase in H-KSCP (1.2mg/10 g)-pretreated mice (P<0.01). The liver index was significantly reduced in H-KSCP-pretreated mice compared with model group (4.89±0.22 vs 7.4±0.66, P<0.01). Liver cellular swelling, degeneration and necrosis relieved, and pathological injury had been improved. Western blotting results showed that the caspase-3 protein level in H-KSCP group was significantly decreased, expression of Bcl-2 protein and Bcl-2/Bax ratio was increased, whereas which of Bax protein was decreased (P<0.01). KSCP-pretreated at middle and high doses can prevent against the liver injury, its action mechanism may be related to its anti-inflammatory effects and regulation of apoptosis related proteins expression. Overall, our results showed that KSCP may be an effective preventive agent in preventing acute liver injury.