Abstract: The aim of this paper is to explore the hepatoprotective effect of Herba Cistanchis against alcohol-induced chronic hepatic injury and its underlying mechanism. Phenylethanoid glycosides (PhGs) were extracted and purified from Cistanche deserticola. Then, the PhGs composition was analyzed and the antioxidant activity was determined. The hepatoprotective activity was studied both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, the survival of HepG2 cells was promoted by PhGs. In vivo, PhGs restored the alterations induced by alcohol, including serological indexes (alanine aminotransaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, γ-glutamyltranspeptidase, acid phosphatase, triglyceride and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol) and hepatic indicators (superoxide dismutase, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, malondialdehyde and triglyceride) levels. The prominent microvesicular steatosis and necrosis in hepatic histopathology of model animals were also notably attenuated by PhGs administration. These results indicated that PhGs possess hepatoprotective properties against chronic alcohol-induced liver injury, the mechanisms involve the modulation of related enzyme (including superoxide dismutase, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase) activities and the reduction of lipid peroxidation products such as malondialdehyde.

Key words: Herba Cistanchis, phenylethanoid glycosides, antioxidant activity, hepatoprotective effect, alcoholic liver disease