Cytoprotective Activity of Components of Garlic, Ginseng and Ciuwjia on Hepatocyte Injury Induced by Carbon Tetrachloride In Vitro

The antihepatotoxic activity of ten components related to plants were investigated using freshly isolated hepatocytes which maintained specific liver functions such as glucagon-dependent glycogenolysis and albumin producibility. Six components of garlic, i.e., S-methyl cysteine, S-ethyl cysteine, S-propyl cysteine, S-allylmercapto cysteine, alliin and S-allyl cysteine, and two syringaresinols of ciuwjia were synthesized. Two ginsenosides were purified from extract of ginseng. Both syringaresinols and S-allyl cysteine at concentrations of 250ng/ml and 0.5μg/ml, respectively, completely suppressed cytotoxicity on hepatocytes by CC14, as judged from GPT level released in the culture medium and morphology of the hepatocytes in stained specimens. The same was observed with S-propyl cysteine, S-allylmercapto cysteine and two ginsenosides at concentrations of lOμg/ml or less. Alliin was also effective but suppressed only GPT leakage. Four positive control drugs used was less effective. S-methyl cysteine and S-ethyl cysteine showed no obvious effect in any concentrations.