Protective effects of Coreopsis tinctoria flowers phenolic extract against D-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide -induced acute liver injury by up-regulation of Nrf2, PPARα, and PPARγ.

Coreopsis tinctoria flowers, a well-known medicinal and edible plant, have been reported to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. However, its protective effects and underlying mechanisms on liver injury remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the underlying mechanisms by which Coreopsis tinctoria flowers phenolic extract (CTP) alleviated D-galactosamine and lipopolysaccharide (D-GalN/LPS) induced acute liver injury in mice. Our results showed that pretreatment with CTP improved liver histology while decreased levels of serum aminotransferase and malondialdehyde. CTP also increased levels of glutathione in D-GalN/LPS -induced acute liver injury mice by up-regulation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). In conclusion, results suggested that CTP protected against D-GalN/LPS -induced acute liver injury by up-regulation of Nrf2, PPARα, and PPARγ.