Research Article

Lepidium meyenii Walp Exhibits Anti-Inflammatory Activity against ConA-Induced Acute Hepatitis

Figure 3

Maca inhibits ConA-induced hepatic apoptosis. Mice were sacrificed at 16 hours after ConA injection. The livers were harvested from the control, Maca, ConA, and ConA + Maca groups. Images showing TUNEL-labeled (green) apoptotic cells counterstained with DAPI (blue) in liver tissue sections. DAPI-stained sections (b, e, h, and k) label the nuclei, while TUNEL-labeling (a, d, g, and j) reveals apoptotic cells. Colocalization of TUNEL/DAPI (c, f, i, and l) in liver sections. The arrows indicate an aggregate of apoptotic cells in the liver section of the ConA injection group. Original magnification ×200. ConA, concanavalin A; Maca, Lepidium meyenii Walp; TUNEL, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase- (TdT-) mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling; DAPI, 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole.