Dietary functional flavonoids as natural hepatoprotective agents against acute liver injury from hop (Humulus lupulus L.)

To screen the novel natural hepatoprotective agents against acute liver injury, 34 effective constituents, including a new α-acids derivative and 9 flavonoids together with 24 known ones, were identified from hop (Humulus lupulus L.). And hop flavonoids could be a potential functional food against acute liver injury. [Display omitted] •The material basis of hepatoprotective effect of Hop was characterized.•The hepatoprotective effect of Hop flavonoids and the action was firstly reported.•Xanthohumol was suggested to be material basis for the hepatoprotective effect. Hop is an edible herb, widely used in the beer industry to improve the bitterness and aromatic flavors. Here, the hepatoprotective effect and phytochemical profile of hop flavonoids (HF) were further investigated. The results revealed that HF could significantly decrease the CCl4-induced elevation of serum AST, ALT, TNF-α and hepatic TBARS, while increasing SOD, GSH-PX and CAT in the liver tissue. Meanwhile, the histopathological studies confirmed protective effect against CCl4-induced liver injuries. Moreover, western blotting indicated that pre-treatment with HF down-regulate expression of cleaved caspase-3, bax, TNF-α, and increase bcl-2. Further phytochemical research characterized 34 components from effective extract of hop, including a new α-acids derivative and 9 flavonoids together with 24 known ones. This study reported the hepatoprotective effect of HF and the action could be through reducing oxidative stress, suppressing inflammation and apoptosis firsly. So HF could be a potential functional food against acute liver injury.