Hepatoprotective effects of Malus hupehensis tea against isoniazid- and rifampicin-induced liver injury by regulating cytochrome P450 in mice

Malus hupehensis (Pamp.) Rehd (MH) is a dual-purpose plant used as medicine and food, which possesses various biological activities including hepatoprotective effect. In this study, the hepatoprotective activity of extracts of MH (MHE) against RFP + INH-induced liver injury was investigated. Animals in model group were given saline and INH + RFP. Animals in MHE groups were given MHE and INH + RFP. Animals in normal control group were given equal volume of saline. Subsequently, blood and liver samples were collected and assessed. MHE significantly alleviated the liver injury, as evidenced by decreased activities of the ALT, AST, TBIL, MDA and GSH-ST, and increased levels of SOD and GSH. MHE also effectively reduced the pathological tissue damage. Moreover, the CYP450 levels, and expression of CYP3A4, CYP2C9 and NADPH4 protein were inhibited by MHE. MHE exerts a protective effect against RFP + INH-induced liver injury in mice, and could be developed as a liver protectant for treatment of DILI.