Polysaccharide from the Seeds of Plantago asiatica L. Protect Against Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Liver Injury

Previous studies have proven that polysaccharide obtained from the seeds of Plantago asiatica L. (PLCP) could induce maturation of murine dendritic cells, promote defecation, and possess antioxidant activity in vitro. However, the effect of PLCP on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced liver injury in mice has been rarely reported. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of PLCP on LPS-induced liver injury. Mice were pretreated orally with different dose of PLCP for 3 weeks. On day 22, they were injected intraperitoneally with LPS and sacrificed 12 h later. The results showed that PLCP inhibited the excessive production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-2, and IL-1 beta in mouse serum and liver. PLCP also improved glutathione peroxidase and total antioxidant capacity activities in mouse liver. In addition, PLCP inhibited nitric oxide, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and cyclooxygenase-2 expression, and increased metallothionein production in mouse liver. Consequently, PLCP may possess protective effects on inflammatory associated liver injury.