Powerful hepatoprotective and hepatotoxic plant oligostilbenes, isolated from the Oriental medicinal plant Vitis coignetiae (Vitaceae)
Oshima, Y.; Namao, K.; Kamijou, A.; Matsuoka, S.; Nakano, M.; Terao, K.; Ohizumi, Y.
Experientia 51(1): 63-66
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0014-4754 PMID: 7843333 Document Number: 443721
Previous studies showed the methanol extract of V. coignetiae to have hepatoprotective activity in an in vitro assay using primary cultured rat hepatocytes. Activity-guided fractionation of the extract afforded epsilon -viniferin as an active principle. The protective effect of epsilon -viniferin against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic injury in mice was shown in a serum enzyme (alanine transaminase) assay as well as by pathological examination. In addition to epsilon -viniferin, other plant oligostilbenes, ampelopsins A, C, F and a mixture of vitisin A and cis-vitisin A, were also present in the extract. Among them, ampelopsin C and the mixture of vitisin A and cis-vitisin A were found to be powerful hepatotoxins.