Hepatoprotective Properties of Penthorum Chinense
Summary
Penthorum chinense Pursh, a perennial herb traditionally used in East Asian medicine, has garnered scientific interest for its ability to protect liver function. Rich in phenolic compounds and flavonones, the plant exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and lipid-modulating effects. Experimental models of chemical-induced injury and metabolic steatosis have demonstrated that extracts of P. chinense can restore hepatic enzyme activity, reduce lipid accumulation and attenuate oxidative damage. Underlying mechanisms include activation of endogenous defence pathways such as nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and the sirtuin-1/AMP-activated protein kinase (SIRT1/AMPK) axis, as well as modulation of lipid-regulating transcription factors. These multifaceted actions support the potential of P. chinense as a dietary supplement or adjunctive therapy in liver disorders, with implications for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, toxin-induced injury and chronic inflammation.
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Hepatoprotective Properties of Penthorum Chinense publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in hepatoprotective properties of penthorum chinense across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Phenolic compounds: Plant-derived molecules with one or more hydroxyl groups attached to an aromatic ring, responsible for antioxidant activity.
Flavonones: A subclass of flavonoids characterised by a saturated three-carbon chain linking aromatic rings, often exhibiting anti-inflammatory and lipid-modulating effects.
Hepatic steatosis: Accumulation of fat within liver cells, a hallmark of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Nrf2 signalling pathway: A cellular defence mechanism that induces expression of antioxidant and detoxification genes in response to oxidative stress.
SIRT1/AMPK pathway: A metabolic regulator involving sirtuin-1 and AMP-activated protein kinase that controls energy homeostasis and lipid metabolism.
Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH): Enzymes that catalyse the breakdown of ethanol and its toxic metabolite acetaldehyde, respectively.
References
- Comprehensive Analysis of Phenolic Constituents, Biological Activities, and Derived Aroma Differences of Penthorum chinense Pursh Leaves after Processing into Green and Black Tea. Foods (2024).
- Flavonones from Penthorum chinense Ameliorate Hepatic Steatosis by Activating the SIRT1/AMPK Pathway in HepG2 Cells. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2018).
- Hepatoprotective properties of Penthorum chinense Pursh against carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver injury in mice. Chinese Medicine (2017).
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