BE protected mice against Con A-induced hepatitis and increased the incidences of apoptosis in liver-infiltrating MNCs and splenocytes, as well as in CD3⁺ and CD19⁺ splenocytes.

<p>Murine hepatitis was induced by an intravenous injection of Con A at a dose of 15 mg/kg. BE (100 mg/kg) was administrated intraperitoneally immediately after Con A injection. Blood samples were collected at 0, 8, and 24 h after Con A injection. Livers and spleens were collected 24 h after Con A injection. (A) Serum ALT levels at indicated time points after Con A injection. (B) Serum levels of IFN-γ and TNF-α at indicated time points after Con A injection. (C) Photomicrographs of representative H&E stained liver sections (×200). (D) Cell numbers of MNCs, CD3⁺ T cell and CD19⁺ B cells in livers at 24 h after Con A injection. (E) Percentages of apoptosis in liver MNCs detected by flow cytometry using FITC-annexin V/PI staining. (F and G) Flow cytometry analysis of apoptosis in splenic T and B cells using PE-anti-CD3/staining and PE-anti-CD19/FITC-annexin V staining, respectively. F shows representative results of 10 mice in each experimental group. Data in A, B D, E, and G are mean ± SEM of 10 mice/group. *<i>P</i><0.05 versus Con A only control, ^#<i>P</i><0.05 versus Non-treatment control.