To investigate the protective effects of Camellia nitidissima leaves extract on alcoholic liver injury in mice.

The 60 male Kunming mice were randomly divided into control group, model group, low-dose group (0.75 g crude drug /kg), medium-dose group (1.50 g crude drug /kg) and high-dose group (3.00 g crude drug /kg) (n=12 per group). The control and model groups were administered pure water by gavage, while extract groups received different doses of extract (20 mL/kg). After 5 hours, 40% elthanol (10 mL/kg) was administered to all groups except the control group for 14 consecutive days. After fasting for 16 hours following the last administration, 20 mL/kg ethanol was administered. Serum biochemical indicators, liver homogenate antioxidant markers (superoxide dismutase, glutathione, malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl) and inflammatory cytokines(interleukin-1β, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α) were analyzed. The pathological changes of liver in mice were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining.

Compared with the model group, the serum triglyceride, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and tumor necrosis factor-α levels in the high dose group decreased by 21.76%, 15.88%, 12.23% and 37.17%, respectively. The content of superoxide dismutase in the liver of the high dose group increased by 14.96%, and the content of malondialdehyde decreased by 17.41%. The content of glutathione in the middle and high dose groups increased by 18.32% and 24.10%, respectively. The protein carbonyl content in the middle and high dose groups decreased by 15.38% and 19.33%, respectively. The serum interleukin-1β in the middle and high dose groups decreased by 43.27% and 49.72%, respectively. The interleukin-6 content in the low, middle and high dose groups decreased by 25.06%, 28.30% and 32.59%, respectively (P<0.05). HE staining showed that hepatocyte edema and ballooning were improved in the medium and high dose groups.

Camellia nitidissima leaves extract has a good protective effect on alcoholic liver injury in mice, which may be related to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. This study provides experimental basis for the in-depth development and utilization of Camellia nitidissima.