본 연구는 D-galactosamine에 의해 간 손상이 유도된 흰쥐에 다슬기 (Semisulcospira libertina) 추출물이 손상된 간세포의 개선 및 회복에 미치는 효과에 관해 조사하였다. 다슬기 추출물은 간 손상에 따른 간 조직 내 국소적 지방 변성과 염증세포 침윤을 크게 감소시켜 대조군과 유사한 수준으로 회복시키는 경향을 나타내었다. 또한 다슬기 추출물은 간손상 지표 효소인 AST와 ALT, LDH 및 ALP의 증가된 효소 활성을 대조군 수준으로 완화시키며, 간 조직 내 지질과 과산화지질의 함량을 감소시켜 간 손상으로 인한 혈중 효소 활성과 조직 내 지질 함량을 개선하는 것으로 조사되었다. 이와 더불어 다슬기 추출물은 염증반응을 촉진시켜 조직 상해 및 괴사를 유도하는 TNF-α의 발현을 억제시키며, 염증 시 세포를 보호하는 HO-1의 발현을 촉진시켜 염증 반응에서 손상된 세포를 대조군 상태의 세포로 회복시키는데 관여하는 것으로 조사되었다. 따라서 다슬기 추출물은 간조직의 괴사 및 섬유화를 회복시키고 혈액 내 효소의 활성과 조직 내 지질 함량을 개선할 뿐만 아니라 염증 반응 인자의 발현을 조절하고 있어 간 손상으로 인한 간세포의 개선 및 회복에 효과가 높은 기능성 소재로서의 가능성을 제시해 주고 있다.

Although Semisulcospira libertina is generally regarded as a supplement for the alleviation of alcohol hangover, little is known about its effects on cell metabolism. Therefore, this study was conducted to analyze the constituents of the extracts prepared using different extraction methods and to compare their biochemical properties. The amino acid contents were found to be much higher in acidic and enzymatic hydrolysates than hot water extracts from S. libertina. DPPH radical scavenging activities in acidic and enzymatic hydrolysates were higher than those of hot water extracts. Three types of S. libertina hydrolysate was added to HepG2 cells damaged by acetaminophen (AAP), after which the survival rate of HepG2 cell were measured. In addition, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities in the culture media were evaluated. The survival rates of HepG2 cells were 77.0±4.3% and 81.5±1.3% at 3 h and 5h enzymatic hydrolysates, respectively. These cell survival rates were higher compared to those of the negative control group (67.8±4.3%) treated only with acetaminophen. Cellular toxicities induced by treatment with AAP were also significantly alleviated in response to treatment with the extracts of S. libertina. In addition, the activities of 2 key enzymes that metabolize ethanol, alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase, were upregulated by 4.7- and 2.7-fold respectively in response to treatment with a 3 h enzymatic hydrolysate of S. libertina. Taken together, these results provide biochemical evidence of the method by which S. libertina exerts its biological functions, including the alleviation of alcohol hangover and the protection of liver cells against toxic insults.

Although Semisulcospira libertina is generally regarded as a supplement for the alleviation of alcohol hangover, little is known about its effects on cell metabolism. Therefore, this study was conducted to analyze the constituents of the extracts prepared using different extraction methods and to compare their biochemical properties. The amino acid contents were found to be much higher in acidic and enzymatic hydrolysates than hot water extracts from S. libertina. DPPH radical scavenging activities in acidic and enzymatic hydrolysates were higher than those of hot water extracts. Three types of S. libertina hydrolysate was added to HepG2 cells damaged by acetaminophen (AAP), after which the survival rate of HepG2 cell were measured. In addition, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities in the culture media were evaluated. The survival rates of HepG2 cells were 77.0±4.3% and 81.5±1.3% at 3 h and 5h enzymatic hydrolysates, respectively. These cell survival rates were higher compared to those of the negative control group (67.8±4.3%) treated only with acetaminophen. Cellular toxicities induced by treatment with AAP were also significantly alleviated in response to treatment with the extracts of S. libertina. In addition, the activities of 2 key enzymes that metabolize ethanol, alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase, were upregulated by 4.7- and 2.7-fold respectively in response to treatment with a 3 h enzymatic hydrolysate of S. libertina. Taken together, these results provide biochemical evidence of the method by which S. libertina exerts its biological functions, including the alleviation of alcohol hangover and the protection of liver cells against toxic insults.