@article {Arosio:1 November 2000:0901-9928:229,
	author = "Arosio B.",
	author = "Gagliano N.",
	author = "Fusaro L.M.P.",
	author = "Parmeggiani L.",
	author = "Tagliabue J.",
	author = "Galetti P.",
	author = "de Castri D.",
	author = "Moscheni C.",
	author = "Annoni G.",
	title = "Aloe-Emodin Quinone Pretreatment Reduces Acute Liver Injury Induced by Carbon Tetrachloride",
	journal = "Pharmacology & Toxicology",
	volume = "87",
	year = "1 November 2000",
	abstract = ": <P></P>Aloe contains several active compounds including aloin, a C-glycoside that can be hydrolyzed in the gut to form aloe-emodin anthrone which, in turn, is auto-oxidized to the quinone aloe-emodin. On the basis of the claimed hepatoprotective activity of some antraquinones, we studied aloe-emodin in a rat model of carbon tetrachloride (CCl<SUB>4</SUB>) intoxication, since this xenobiotic induces acute liver damage by lipid peroxidation subsequent to free radical production. Twelve rats were treated with CCl<SUB>4</SUB> (3 mg/kg) intraperitoneally and six were protected with two intraperitoneally injections of aloe-emodin (50 mg/kg; CCl<SUB>4</SUB>+aloe-emodin); six other rats were only aloe-emodin injected (aloe-emodin) and six were untreated (control). Histological examination of the livers showed less marked lesions in the CCl<SUB>4</SUB>+aloe-emodin rats than in those treated with CCl<SUB>4</SUB> alone, and this was confirmed by the serum levels of L-aspartate-2-oxoglutate-aminotransferase (394&#177;38.6 UI/l in CCl<SUB>4</SUB>, 280&#177;24.47 UI/l in CCl<SUB>4</SUB>+aloe-emodin rats; P&#060;0.05). We also quantified changes in hepatic albumin and tumour necrosis factor-<IMG SRC="/iso-ents/isogrk1/agr-s.gif" ALT="agr"> mRNAs. Albumin mRNA expression was significantly lower only in the liver of CCl<SUB>4</SUB> rats (P&#060;0.05 versus control) and was only slightly reduced in the CCl<SUB>4</SUB>+aloe-emodin rats. In contrast tumour necrosis factor-<IMG SRC="/iso-ents/isogrk1/agr-s.gif" ALT="agr"> mRNA was significantly higher (P&#060;0.05) in the CCl<SUB>4</SUB> than the control rats and almost equal in the CCl<SUB>4</SUB>+aloe-emodin, aloe-emodin and control groups. In conclusion, aloe-emodin appears to have some protective effect not only against hepatocyte death but also on the inflammatory response subsequent to lipid peroxidation.<P></P>",
	pages = "229-233(5)",
	url = "http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/mksg/pto/2000/00000087/00000005/art00007"
}