Protective effect of Djulis (Chenopodium formosanum) and its bioactive compounds against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury, in vivo

The protective effect of water extracts of Djulis (Chenopodium formosanum) (WECF) and its bioactive compounds against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in rats was investigated. Rutin, kaempferol, betanin and another nine compounds were present in WECF using HPLC-DAD and HPLC-MS/MS analyses. Oral administration of WECF to rats at 2.5 mg/kg bw for 28 consecutive days before a single dose of CCl4 demonstrated significantly lowered aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, and attenuated histopathological changes in CCl4-treated rats. WECF inhibited lipid peroxidation, restored glutathione (GSH), enhanced superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reduced DNA damage in CCl4-treated rats. Rutin, kaempferol and betanin at 1.0 µg/kg bw restored GSH and reduced DNA damage in CCl4-treated rats. In addition, betanin increased SOD activity. Overall, WECF protects rat liver from CCl4-treated liver injury due mainly to attenuating oxidative stress. The presence of bioactive compounds in WECF may partly be responsible for the hepatoprotection of WECF.