Protective effect and mechanisms of Chimonanthus salicifolius polysaccharide on acute alcoholic liver injury in mice

Chimonanthus salicifolius, a traditionally unique medicinal herb in China and Asian countries, is capable of inhibiting pathogenic bacteria; and, hence, has been applied for healthy food. To explore its functional characteristics, the present study analyzed the main components of C. salicifolius polysaccharides (CSP) and examined the hepatoprotective effect of CSP through using an established mouse model of acute alcoholic liver injury. Additionally, the oxidative stress and inflammatory indicators were measured, and the hepatoprotective mechanism of CSP was revealed. The results indicated that the main components in CSP were galactose, glucose, arabinose, and mannose. After administration, CSP significantly decreased the levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, triglyceride, and total cholesterol in alcoholic liver injury mice. CSP could remarkably alleviate liver damage from histopathological examination; increase the antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and glutathione peroxidase; decrease the levels of hepatic inflammation of TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, and IL-6; and regulate the NF-kappa B signaling pathway. These findings demonstrated that CSP effectively improved acute alcoholic liver injury in mice and could be considered as a potential candidate for ALI treatment.