Optimization on the extraction conditions of flavonoids from Suaeda glauca and the research of its hepatoprotection in mice

Liver disease is a serious threat to health worldwide. Flavonoids from Suaeda glauca (SGF) is able to alleviate liver lipid peroxidation. However, it is unclear whether SGF could protect against liver glycogen accumulation, inflammation and fibrosis. In this study, the extraction conditions of SGF were optimized with response surface methodology. The qualitative analysis of components in SGF was carried out by a LC-MS/MS method. Moreover, SGF was administered orally to male mice given 10 % carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) for 4 weeks at doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg once daily for 4 weeks. The optimal extraction conditions of SGF were as follows: the ratio of material to liquid 1:35, the temperature 67 °C, the time 3 h, and the ethanol concentration 89 %. Thirty-five compounds were preliminarily identified in SGF. Furthermore, SGF could significantly improve liver dysfunction, regulate the hepatic protein levels of glucose-6-phosphatase, glycogen synthase, glycogen phosphorylase L, Laforin, interleukin−1β, gasdermin-D, NOD-like receptor (NLR) family, pyrin domain containing 3 inflammasome, α-smooth muscle actin, the hepatic mRNA levels and enzyme activities of matrix metallopeptidase 9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1, and collagen 1α1, reduce the liver glycogen accumulation, inflammation and fibrosis in mice induced by CCl₄. These results indicated that SGF may be a promising drug for the treatment of liver injury.