Metabonomics study of the protective effects of Lonicera japonica extract on acute liver injury in dimethylnitrosamine treated rats

A metabonomics approach, consisting of gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and a multivariate statistical technique, was developed to estimate the protective effects of Lonicera japonica extract (LJE) on acute liver injury. A high dose of dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) was used to induce an acute stage of hepatic injury in 21 male Wistar rats. The rats were divided into three groups: normal, model and treatment. Pathological changes, particularly fibrosis, were also examined by Azan staining. The results indicate that clear and consistent biochemical changes occur. Nine candidate biomarkers for DMN treatment and LJE intervention under controlled conditions were identified using chemometric analysis. Pathological analysis suggests that LJE has a protective effect to the liver. This work suggests that a metabonomics approach can be used to estimate pharmacodynamic action of naturally occurring drugs in a dynamic and non-invasive way.