구절초 추출 분말(CZE)의 간 기능 개선 효과를 확인하기 위하여 in vitro와 in vivo 실험을 진행하였다. 먼저 간세포 내 지방축적 억제 효과를 확인하기 위하여 HepG2 cell에 CZE를 농도별로 처리하고 oleic acid로 세포 내 지방축적을 유도하였다. 그 결과 지방구가 감소함을 확인할 수 있었고, 세포 내 지방 유입 및 합성에 관여하는 FAT/CD36, SREBP-1c 그리고 FAS 유전자 발현을 감소시킴을 확인하였다. 그리고 지방대사에 관여하는 PPARα 및 CPT-1의 유전자 발현을 촉진함으로써 CZE가 간세포 내 지방축적을 억제함을 확인할 수 있었다. 또한, CZE의 급성 간 손상 개선 효과를 확인하기 위하여 아세트아미노펜(APAP)으로 유도된 간 손상 모델에 CZE를 농도별로 처리한 후 간 기능 지표 효소의 활성 측정, 총콜레스테롤 및 GSH량 그리고 TG 측정, 조직학적 변화 등을 통해 확인하였다. 시험 결과 APAP에 의해 증가한 GOT, GPT 효소 활성이 CZE 처리 후 감소함을 확인하였으며, 조직 내 GSH 함량이 회복되었고 TC, TG는 정상범위로 감소함을 확인하였다. 본 연구를 통하여 CZE가 간 기능 개선에 효과가 있음을 확인하였으며, 간 기능 개선 건강기능식품 원료로 사용 가능성을 확인하였다.
In vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted to examine the effects of an improvement of Chrysanthemum zawadskii extract (CZE) on the function of the liver. The lipid-related biomarkers in the liver were analyzed by RT-PCR using oleic acid (OA)-induced steatotic HepG2 cells. Treatment with 125, 250, and 500 μg/mL CZE decreased the intracellular lipid accumulation compared to the OA alone treatment group. CZE reduced the fatty acid influx to hepatocytes and synthesis through the down-regulation of FAT/CD36, SREBP-1C, and FAS mRNA expression in the steatotic HepG2 cells. In addition, PPARα and CPT-1 mRNA expression in HepG2 cells were increased significantly by a CZE treatment, by up to 46.4% and 28.6%, respectively, compared to the OA alone treatment group due to the activation of beta oxidation. In addition, the hepatoprotective effect of CZE was investigated by conducting blood biochemical and histopathological analysis in vivo on acute liver toxicity induced by acetaminophen (APAP). CZE was administered orally at concentrations of 125, 250, and 500 μg/mL for 5 days after treatment with APAP (350 mg/kg) to induce severe liver injury in mice. In the APAP treated group, the glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT/AST) and glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT/ALT) levels were rapidly elevated in the liver but decreased significantly in the CZE pretreated group. This protective effect of CZE on APAP induced toxicity was consistent with the histopathological examination. The triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) levels were significantly lower in the liver tissues of the CZE-pretreated group than in the APAP alone treated group. In addition, hepatic glutathione (GSH) level was significantly increased by the CZE treatment in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that a treatment with CZE alleviates the imbalance of the liver lipid metabolism caused by a nonalcoholic fatty liver and suggests that it can help relieve the acute hepatotoxic effect induced by APAP.