Fig. 9.

The hepatoprotective effect of osthole was mediated by its antioxidant activity. a, b Mice were intraperitoneally injected with osthole (100 mg/kg). After 24 h, BSO (1 g/kg) was intraperitoneally injected into mice 1 h prior to the TMX injection. Serum ALT and AST activities were measured 8 h after the TMX injection. c, d Mice were injected with NAC (150 mg/kg) 1 h before the TMX injection. Serum ALT and AST activities were measured 8 h after the TMX injection. e–g Mice were intraperitoneally injected with osthole (100 mg/kg). After 24 h, BSO (1 g/kg) was intraperitoneally injected into 1 h prior to the TMX injection. Hepatic mRNA levels of genes involved in oxidative stress, inflammation, and metabolism were quantified using real-time RT-PCR 8 h after the TMX injection. h–k Livers were collected from the mice treated as described above. Western blot analysis and quantification were performed. Data are presented as the mean ± SEM, n = 4–6 mice per group. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 compared to the control, ^#P < 0.05, ^##P < 0.01 compared to TMX, ^§§P < 0.01 compared to TMX plus osthole, ^§P < 0.05 compared to TMX plus osthole