Steamed ginseng shoot extract rich in less-polar ginsenosides ameliorated the acute hepatotoxicity caused by overdose of acetaminophen in mice

Abstract The current study was conducted to comprehensively explore the potential hepatoprotective effect of steamed ginseng shoot extract (GSE) in acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury model of mice. Our findings demonstrated that a single injection of APAP (250 mg/kg) increased the levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-1β, which were attenuated by GSE pretreatments (50–200 mg/kg) for seven days. Depletion of glutathione, reduced expression of Bcl-2, generation of malondialdehyde and the over expressions of cytochrome P450 E1, 4-hydroxynonenal, Bax and cytochrome c caused by APAP exposure were also inhibited by the GSE pretreatments. Moreover, GSEs significantly alleviated APAP-induced apoptosis, necrosis, and inflammatory infiltration in liver tissues. Importantly, GSEs effectively attenuated APAP-induced liver injury in part via blocking caspases-3/8/9 signaling pathway. In summary, GSEs exerted potent liver protection against APAP-caused hepatotoxicity evidenced by inhibition of oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis.