Hepatoprotective effect of cryptotanshinone from Salvia miltiorrhiza in D-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide-induced fulminant hepatic failure

Cryptotanshinone from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge was investigated for hepatoprotective effects in D-galactosamine (GalN)/lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced fulminant hepatic failure. Cryptotanshinone (20 or 40 mg/kg) was orally administered 12 and 1 h prior to GalN (700 mg/kg)/LPS (10 mu g/kg) injection. The increased mortality and TNF-alpha levels by GalN/LPS were declined by cryptotanshinone pretreatment. In addition, cryptotanshinone attenuated GalN/LPS-induced apoptosis, characterized by the blockade of caspase-3, -8, and -9 activation, as well as the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria. In addition, cryptotanshinone significantly suppressed JNK, ERK and p38 phosphorylation induced by GalN/LPS, and phosphorylation of TAK1 as well. Furthermore, cryptotanshinone significantly inhibited the activation of NF-kappa B and suppressed the production of proinflammatory cytokines. These findings suggested that hepatoprotective effect of cryptotanshinone is likely associated with its anti-apoptotic activity and the down-regulation of MAPKs and NF-kappa B associated at least in part with suppressing TAK1 phosphorylation. (C) 2013 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.