The aim of this study was to investigate the potential capability of an alcalase-hydrolyzed corn protein and fractions with different molecular mass (Mm) to facilitate alcohol metabolism by activating hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). Results showed that corn peptide (CP) fraction with Mm fewer than 1,000 Da (CP < 1,000) exhibited the highest activity to activate ADH in vitro. The fraction administration (200 mg/kg body weight) with Mm fewer than 5,000 Da (CP < 5,000) demonstrated maximum ability to decrease blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in mice. There was a 45.1% reduction in BAC compared with that of the control group. Moreover, there was a strong linear relationship between BAC elimination rate and hepatic ADH activation rate (r = 0.9961). CP's potent capability to facilitate alcohol metabolism could be mainly correlated with the activation of hepatic ADH by hydrophobic CP with low Mm. CP's ·OH scavenging activity may also have synergistic contribution to the oxidative stress release.

There is an ever increasing need of an agent that could protect liver from alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Corn peptide (CP) is a potential candidate, which can facilitate alcohol metabolism and prevent ALD. CP was obtained from corn gluten meal (CGM), which was a by-product of corn industry. It will broaden the application and increase the value of CGM. CP, especially those with low molecular mass, has been reported with many bioactive functions, which was isolated with potent hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activating abilities and free radical-scavenging capacities. In general, CP could become a safe and potent alcohol metabolism stimulator and hepatoprotective agent. It could be manufactured in various forms, such as powder, tinctures, tablet, capsule and syrup. The future applications of CP would be mostly as a medicine, supplement or functional foods.

Hepatic injury is a prevalent ailment worldwide. The hepatoprotective effects of corn peptides (CPs) were evaluated against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced liver injury in mice. Low molecular weight CP (Mw < 5 kD) were obtained by alcalase hydrolysis combined with ultrafiltration technology. Results showed that the hepatoprotective effects of CP (200 mg/kg body weight [bw]) were manifested by a significant decrease of the aminotransferase (aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase) activities in serum and malondialdehyde level in liver, and by a significant increase of superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione level in liver (P < 0.01), compared with the model group. The biochemical findings were supplemented by histopathological examination of liver sections. The hepatoprotective effect was close to that of positive control group – Silymarin (50 mg/kg bw). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the pretreatment of CP at the dose of 200 mg/kg bw showed a significant protective effect to alleviate CCl₄-induced hepatocellular injury, and the hepatoprotective effect was due to the CP's antioxidant capability and high Fischer's ratio.

There is an ever-increasing need of an agent that could protect liver from various damages. Therapies developed along the principles of Western medicine are often limited in efficacy, carry the risk of adverse effects and are often too costly, especially for the developing world. Corn peptides (CPs) were obtained from corn gluten meal, which was the by-product of corn industry. It will broaden the application and increase the value of corn gluten meal. CPs, especially those with low molecular weight, have been reported with many bioactive functions, which were isolated with potent free radical scavenging capacities and high Fischer's ratio. In general CP could become a safe and potent hepatoprotective agent and could be manufactured into various forms, such as powder, tinctures, tablet, capsule and syrup. The future applications of CP would be mostly as a medicine, supplement or functional foods.

Ganoderma lucidum, a traditional Chinese medicinal mushroom, has been widely used for the treatment of chronic hepatopathy of various etiologies. Our previous study showed that peptides isolated from G. lucidum (GLP) possessed potent free radical-scavenging capacities. Here, we evaluated the hepatoprotective effects of GLP, using mice with CCl₄-induced liver injuries. Results showed that the serum aminotransferase (ALT/AST) activities and numbers of necrotic and pathological hepatocytes were reduced in a dose-dependent manner in GLP-treated groups. At the dose of 260 mg/kg·bw GLP, the serum malondialdehyde, ALT and AST were statistically significant different to that of positive control groups (P < 0.05). CCl₄-induced liver damage was largely prevented as suggested by histopathological examination. In conclusion, our study for the first time demonstrated that GLP showed preventive effects against CCl₄-induced liver damage in mice, suggesting that GLP also plays a role for the hepatoprotective effects of G. lucidum extracts.

Liver is one of the major organs actively involved in metabolic functions and frequently targeted by toxicants. Hepatitis is a severe disease with the highest incidence rate around the world. Thus, interest in liver protection drugs has never been higher. Ganoderma lucidum, a traditional Chinese medicinal mushroom, has been widely used for the treatment of chronic hepatopathy of various etiologies with little or no side effects. A group of peptides from G. lucidum (GLP) was isolated with potent free radical-scavenging capacities and immune system regulation ability. In general, GLP could be used as a tonic for health, energy and longevity. GLP could be manufactured into various forms, such as powder, tinctures, tablet, capsule and syrup. The future applications of GLP would be mostly as a medicine, supplement or functional foods.