Efficiently Capturing Mitochondria-Targeted Constituents with Hepatoprotective Activity from Medicinal Herbs

Figure 10

Effect of the hit compound on the hepatic histomorphology injury by CCl₄. As shown in (a), normal liver displayed a typical hepatolobular architecture, comprised of a clear central vein with radiating cords of hepatocytes separated by sinusoids. Hepatic cells were polygonal in shape, with distinctive nuclei and a uniform cytoplasm. Few binucleated cells were present, and the cytoplasm was regularly distributed. As shown in (b), hepatic injuries induced by CCl₄ in mice were demonstrated by marked vacuolization of hepatocytes, necrosis around the central vein, sinusoidal dilation and congestion, infiltration of cells, loss of cellular boundaries and ballooning degeneration, and loss of architecture and were significantly different from those observed in the normal control group. However, treatment with silybin (c) and P12 (praeruptorin B) at doses of 8, 16, and 32 mg/kg for 7 days are shown in (d), (e), and (f), respectively and significantly attenuated liver injuries as shown by the absence of focal or bridging necrosis or mild hepatitis. The CCl₄-induced histopathological changes improved by treatment with P12, and the recovery was significant in the low-dose group (8 mg/kg), which was comparable to that of silybin.

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