Purification and characterization of Inonotus hispidus exopolysaccharide and its protective effect on acute alcoholic liver injury in mice

This study characterized the Inonotus hispidus extracellular exopolysaccharide (IHEPS) from fermentation broth and investigated its liver protective effect on acute alcoholic liver injury in mice. The characterization of IHEPS was analyzed by HPLC, UV-vis and FT-IR. To determine the liver protective effect of IHEPS, mice were administered with IHEPS once daily for 3 weeks, before ethanol induced acute alcoholic liver injury. Biochemical parameters of liver function, histopathological sections, mRNA and protein expression of related antioxidant enzymes were compared between with or without IHEPS administrated mice. As a result, IHEPS could extend the duration of righting reflex, shorten the durations of the recovery, and decrease the liver index in acute alcoholic liver mice. At the same time, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were decreased in IHEPS mice. Moreover, increased alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were also found in IHEPS mice. Furthermore, IHEPS activated Nrf2 signaling pathway and increased the expression of downstream related antioxidant enzymes, such as NQO1, CAT and Cu-Zn SOD.