The present invention relates to a composition comprising Hovenia dulcis
Thunb extract, Lindera obtusiloba extract or herbal mixture extract
thereof as an effective ingredient.
Hovenia dulcis Thunb extract, Lindera obtusiloba extract or herbal mixture
extract thereof of the present invention is highly effective for the
improvement of liver functions since it can lower the level of GOT, GPT,
ALP, BUN and total bilirubin, which are major liver function indices. ALP
and BUN are also used as kidney function indices, so the decrease of the
level of ALP and BUN by the extract of the present invention indicates
that Hovenia dulcis Thunb extract, Lindera obtusiloba extract or herbal
mixture extract thereof of the invention can improve kidney functions as
well.
Hovenia dulcis Thunb extract, Lindera obtusiloba extract or herbal mixture
extract thereof of the present invention also can lower the amount of
hydroxyproline in liver but increase the amount of hydroxyproline in
kidney, suggesting that the extract above has excellent anti-fibrosis and
kidney protecting effects.
In addition, Hovenia dulcis Thunb extract, Lindera obtusiloba extract or
herbal mixture extract thereof of the present invention can lower the
level of malondialdehyde, an index of lipid peroxidation in liver and
kidney tissues, suggesting that the extract has excellent anti-oxidative
effect.
Hovenia dulcis Thunb extract, Lindera obtusiloba extract or herbal mixture
extract thereof of the present invention promotes cell viability in liver
and kidney cell lines, indicating that the extract has excellent liver
and kidney cell protective effects. Therefore, the composition of the
present invention can be effectively used not only for anti-oxidation and
anti-fibrosis but also for the protection and the improvement of liver
and kidney functions.