Protective Effect of 8-Methoxypsoralen against Acetaminophen-induced Acute Hepatic Injury in Mice

OBJECTIVE To investigate the hepatoprotective effect of 8-methoxypsoralen against acetaminophen-induced acute hepatic injury in mice. METHODS Liver injury model of mice was induced by subcutaneous injection of acetaminophen. Twenty-four hours later, the activities of serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST) and lactate dehydroge- nase (LDH) were determined, and the liver tissues were collected for histopathological assessment by HE staining under light microscope. The ratio of glutathione(GSH) and oxidized glutathione(GSSG), and the content of GSH, GSSG and malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver homogenate were also measured. RESULTS Compared with the normal control group, the model group could markedly increase serum ALT, AST and LDH activities, and the degeneration and necrosis could be observed in liver tissues. Compared with the model group, 8-methoxypsoralen could markedly decrease serum ALT, AST and LDH activities, reduce the MDA level in liver homogenate, and increase GSH content and the ratio of GSH/GSSG in the liver homogenate. The hepatic histopathological changes in liver were also significantly ameliorated. CONCLUSION The 8-methoxypsoralen can prevent the liver from acetaminophen-induced acute hepatic injury.