Heat shock proteins 27 and 70 contribute to the protection of Schisandrin B against d-galactosamine-induced liver injury in mice.

Schisandrin B is a hepatoprotective component isolated from a traditional Chinese herb, Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. This study determined the effect of Schisandrin B on d-galactosamine -induced liver injury and the role of heat shock proteins 27 and 70 against liver injury in mice. Acute liver injury was induced by intraperitoneal injection of d-galactosamine to mice, and Schisandrin B was given orally. The protein and gene expression of heat shock proteins 27 and 70 were detected by western blot and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Liver tissues were subjected to histological evaluation, and the activities of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in the serum were measured. Pretreatment of Schisandrin B significantly attenuated d-galactosamine-induced liver injury in mice. This result was evidenced by improved alteration of histopathological hepatic necrosis and reduced alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities in the serum. The hepatoprotective effect was accompanied with overexpression of heat shock proteins 27 and 70 both at the protein and mRNA levels. However, the aforementioned actions of Schisandrin B were all markedly suppressed by the heat shock protein inhibitor quercetin. Heat shock proteins 27 and 70 were involved in the protective effect of Schisandrin B against d-galactosamine-induced liver injury in mice.