We compared the effects of ethylacetate extracts from Artemisia iwayomogi (AIE) and Artemisia capillaris (ACE) on
ethanol-induced hepatic injury in mice.
Ethanol (25% v/v, 5 g/kg
body weight) was orally administered once a day for 6 wk. AIE or ACE was provided in the diet (0.05 g/100 g diet). AIE and ACE did not affect hepatic
alcohol dehydrogenase activity but did significantly inhibit
cytochrome P450 2E1 activity. Hepatic
acetaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 activity significantly increased in the AIE group compared to the control group. AIE caused a significant decrease in plasma
acetaldehyde levels and
aspartate transaminase and
lactate dehydrogenase activities, whereas ACE slightly decreased these values compared to the control. Hepatic
catalase activity and
glutathione levels were significantly increased by AIE and ACE supplements, whereas
glutathione peroxidase activity was higher only in the AIE group compared to the control group. AIE and ACE supplements significantly lowered the plasma
cholesterol concentration and increased the
HDL-cholesterol/total
cholesterol ratio compared to the control group. Compared to the control, both AIE and ACE groups showed a significant decrease in hepatic
triglyceride levels and an increase in fecal
triglyceride excretion simultaneous with inhibition hepatic activities of
fatty acid synthase, phosphatidate phosphohyrolase,
fatty acid β-oxidation, and
carnitine palmitoyltransferase. AIE significantly lowered hepatic
cholesterol levels and increased fecal
cholesterol levels compared to the control. These results indicate that AIE and ACE exhibit hepatoprotective and hypolipidemic properties by enhancing hepatic alcohol,
antioxidant, and lipid metabolism. AIE seemed to have more potent hepatoprotective effects than ACE.