Paeonol, the main active principles of Paeonia moutan, ameliorates alcoholic steatohepatitis in mice

Paeonol, a major phenolic component of Moutan Cortex, is traditionally used as a Chinese herbal medicine in various diseases including hepatitis. Evidence shows that paeonol has anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and anti-atherosclerosis effects. However, the effect of paeonol on alcoholic liver injury remains obscure. The present investigation was designed to determine the effects of paeonol on alcohol-induced hepatic injury in mice. The degree of alcoholic liver injury was evaluated biochemically by measuring serum markers and pathological examination. Real-time PCR and ELISA methods were used to check the expression of cytokines. Western blotting was used to check CYP 450 expression. Treatment with paeonol significantly attenuated the level of serum aminotransferase, reduced the severe extent of hepatic cell damage, steatosis, and the infiltration of inflammatory cells in a model of alcoholic liver injury ( P < 0.05). Interestingly, paeonol markedly decreased hepatic mRNA expression of lipogenic genes ( P < 0.05) while had no effect on protein expression of hepatic CYP2E1. Furthermore, paeonol significantly decreased serum and tissue inflammatory cytokine levels, tissue lipid peroxidation, neutrophil infiltration and inhibited the apoptosis of hepatocytes ( P < 0.05). Kupffer cells isolated from ethanol-fed mice produced high amounts of tumor necrosis factor alpha, whereas Kupffer cells from paeonol treatment ethanol-fed mice produced less tumor necrosis factor alpha ( P < 0.05). These findings suggest that paeonol may represent a novel, protective strategy against alcoholic liver injury by attenuating hepatic steatosis, inflammatory response and apoptosis.