Objective  To investigate the protective effect of (2R, 3R)-dihydroquercetin 7-O-β-D-glucopyranose (C1) extracted from Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt. in a mouse model of alcoholic acute pancreatitis (FAEE-AP) induced byfatty acid ethyl ester (FAEE).

  Methods  The 30 healthy SPF mice were randomly divided into control group, model group, low dose group, middle dose group and high dose group, 6 in each group. Alcoholic pancreatitis was induced by ethanol and palmitoleic acid administration (1.75 g/kg ethanol, 200 mg/kg palmitoleic acid, 2 times peritoneal injections). The three treatment groups were given C1 (0 h, 4 h, 8 h) at the dose of 12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg, respectively. After 24 h of molding, the serum amylase, lipase and IL-6 levels were detected. The trypsin level in pancreatic tissue and myeloperoxidase (MPO) level in pancreatic and lung tissue were detected. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological changes of pancreatic tissue and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was used to detect the expression of nuclear factor-erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) in pancreatic tissue.

  Results  The pancreatic histopathological scores, serum amylase and lipase activity, trypsin level in pancreatic tissue, serum IL-6 level, MPO level of pancreas and lung were significantly higher in the model group than in the control group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the pancreatic histopathologies of the low dose group was significantly improved (P < 0.05), as well as the serum amylase and lipase activity, trypsin level of pancreas, serum IL-6 level, the pancreas andthe lung's MPO level decreased significantly (P < 0.05), and up-regulate that expression of Nrf2 in pancreatic tissue.

  Conclusion  12.5 mg/kg of (2R, 3R) -dihydroquercetin 7-O-β-D-glucopyranose (C1) improved the expression of Nrf2, reduced the expression of inflammatory factor IL-6, and protected acute pancreatitis caused by FAEE.