Effects of Sho-saiko-to extract on liver fibrosis in relation to the changes in hydroxyproline and retinoid levels of the liver in rats

A comprehensive review of bupleuri radix and its bioactive components： with a major focus on treating chronic liver diseases

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Bupleuri Radix (BR) has been recognized as an essential herbal medicine for relieving liver depression for thousands of years. Contemporary research has provided compelling evidence of its pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, metabolic regulation, and anticancer properties, positioning it as a promising treatment option for various liver diseases. Hepatitis, steatohepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer are among the prevalent and impactful liver diseases worldwide. However, there remains a lack of comprehensive systematic reviews that explore the prescription, bio-active components, and underlying mechanisms of BR in treating liver diseases.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

To summarize the BR classical Chinese medical prescription and ingredients in treating liver diseases and their mechanisms to inform reference for further development and research.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Literature in the last three decades of BR and its classical Chinese medical prescription and ingredients were collated and summarized by searching PubMed, Wiley, Springer, Google Scholar, Web of Science, CNKI, etc. RESULTS: BR and its classical prescriptions, such as Xiao Chai Hu decoction, Da Chai Hu decoction, Si Ni San, and Chai Hu Shu Gan San, have been utilized for centuries as effective therapies for liver diseases, including hepatitis, steatohepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. BR is a rich source of active ingredients, such as saikosaponins, polysaccharides, flavonoids, sterols, organic acids, and so on. These bioactive compounds exhibit a wide range of beneficial effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and lipid metabolism regulation. However, it is important to acknowledge that BR and its constituents can also possess hepatotoxicity, which is associated with cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes and oxidative stress. Therefore, caution should be exercised when using BR in therapeutic applications to ensure the safe and appropriate utilization of its potential benefits while minimizing any potential risks.

CONCLUSIONS

To sum up, BR, its compounds, and its based traditional Chinese medicine are effective in liver diseases through multiple targets, multiple pathways, and multiple effects. Advances in pharmacological and toxicological investigations of BR and its bio-active components in the future will provide further contributions to the discovery of novel therapeutics for liver diseases.

N-butyldeoxynojirimycin (miglustat) ameliorates pulmonary fibrosis through inhibition of nuclear translocation of Smad2/3

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic progressive lung disease. The disease involves excessive accumulation of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts, and myofibroblasts differentiated by pro-fibrotic factors promote the deposition of extracellular matrix proteins such as collagen and fibronectin. Transforming growth factor-β1 is a pro-fibrotic factor that promotes fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation (FMD). Therefore, inhibition of FMD may be an effective strategy for IPF treatment. In this study, we screened the anti-FMD effects of various iminosugars and showed that some compounds, including N-butyldeoxynojirimycin (NB-DNJ, miglustat, an inhibitor of glucosylceramide synthase (GCS)), a clinically approved drug for treating Niemann-Pick disease type C and Gaucher disease type 1, inhibited TGF-β1-induced FMD by inhibiting the nuclear translocation of Smad2/3. N-butyldeoxygalactonojirimycin having GCS inhibitory effect did not attenuate the TGF-β1-induced FMD, suggesting that NB-DNJ exerts the anti-FMD effects by GCS inhibitory effect independent manner. N-butyldeoxynojirimycin did not inhibit TGF-β1-induced Smad2/3 phosphorylation. In a mouse model of bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis, intratracheal or oral administration of NB-DNJ at an early fibrotic stage markedly ameliorated lung injury and deterioration of respiratory functions, such as specific airway resistance, tidal volume, and peak expiratory flow. Furthermore, the anti-fibrotic effects of NB-DNJ in the BLM-induced lung injury model were similar to those of pirfenidone and nintedanib, which are clinically approved drugs for the treatment of IPF. These results suggest that NB-DNJ may be effective for IPF treatment.

Long-term acetaminophen treatment induced liver fibrosis in mice and the involvement of Egr-1

Acetaminophen (APAP)-induced acute liver injury has already been well studied. However, whether long-term administration of APAP will cause liver fibrosis is still not very clear. This study aims to investigate the liver fibrosis in mice induced by long-term APAP treatment and the involvement of early growth response 1 (Egr-1). C57BL/6 mice were orally given with APAP (200, 300mg/kg) for 2, 6 or 10 weeks, respectively. Liver hydroxyproline content, collagen deposition and inflammatory cells infiltration were increased in mice treated with APAP (200, 300mg/kg) for 6 or 10 weeks. Liver mRNA expression of collagen (COL)1a1, Col3a1, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and serum contents of COL1, COL3, TGF-β were all increased in APAP-treated mice. Liver expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and phosphorylated ERK1/2 and Smad2/3 were all increased in APAP-treated mice. Furthermore, increased liver mRNA expression of Egr-1 and its subsequent nuclear translocation were found in APAP-treated mice. Egr-1 knock-out mice were further applied. APAP-induced liver fibrosis was found to be more serious in Egr-1 knock-out mice. N-acetyl-p-benzoquinoneimine (NAPQI), the APAP hepatotoxic metabolite, increased cellular mRNA expression of α-SMA, Col1a1, Col3a1, TGF-β, induced ERK1/2 and Smad2/3 phosphorylation and Egr-1 nuclear translocation in hepatic stellate LX2 cells. In conclusion, long-term administration of APAP induced liver fibrosis in mice, and Egr-1 was critically involved in this process. This study points out a warning and reference for patients with long-term APAP ingestion in clinic.

Therapeutic effect of Soshiho-tang, a traditional herbal formula, on liver fibrosis or cirrhosis in animal models: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Liver fibrosis has been recognized as a major lesion of the liver that leads to liver cirrhosis at the end stage. Soshiho-tang (SST) has been used to improve liver fibrosis/cirrhosis by ameliorating fibrosis-specific markers. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of SST on liver fibrosis/cirrhosis through a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis using animal models.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Studies of SST treatment in liver fibrosis/cirrhosis-induced animal models were searched by electronic data bases. The quality of the studies included was assessed and the efficacy of SST was evaluated based on markers from liver tissues and serum.

RESULTS

Among the 838 studies identified in the literature search, 20 studies that met the inclusion criteria were included in the analysis. SST significantly reduced the elevated levels of fibrosis markers, such as the degree of fibrosis, hydroxyproline, hyaluronic acid, transforming growth factor-β1, and procollagen III in liver tissues, and aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, procollagen III, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, and type IV collagen in the serum.

CONCLUSIONS

SST was effective in decreasing pathologically increased markers in animal models of liver fibrosis/cirrhosis. A larger-scale of animals, well-designed animal study is expected to improve the methodological quality, heterogeneity, and potential biases of the meta-analysis.

Measurement of hydroxyproline in collagen with three different methods

Determination of the 4-hydroxy-l-proline (hydroxyproline) concentration may provide useful information for the diagnosis and prognosis of diseases caused by disorders of collagen metabolism. The objective of the present study was to apply liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to assess the hydroxyproline concentration. The hydroxyproline concentration in lung and liver tissues measured by LC-MS was compared with values obtained by a colorimetric method, as well as a fluorescence method using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) from previous studies by our group. The determination of the hydroxyproline concentration by LC-MS was improved as compared with that using the colorimetric and HPLC methods, due to its simplicity, high sensitivity (pg level) and short separation time. These results suggested that utilizing the LC-MS method for measuring the hydroxyproline concentration would be advantageous for the diagnosis of diseases associated with abnormalities of collagen metabolism.

Therapeutic effects of the oriental herbal medicine Sho-saiko-to on liver cirrhosis and carcinoma

The traditional Chinese herbal medicine Sho-saiko-to is a mixture of seven herbal preparations that has long been used in the treatment of chronic liver disease. Various clinical trials have shown that Sho-saiko-to protects against the development of hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients. However, the mechanism by which Sho-saiko-to protects hepatocytes against hepatic fibrosis and carcinoma is not yet known. Basic science studies have demonstrated that Sho-saiko-to reduces hepatocyte necrosis and enhances liver function. Sho-saiko-to significantly inhibits hepatic fibrosis by inhibiting the activation of stellate cells, the major producers of collagen in the liver, as well as by inhibiting hepatic lipid peroxidation, promoting matrix degradation, and suppressing extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation. Furthermore, clinical trials have shown that Sho-saiko-to lowers the rate of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development in patients with cirrhosis and increases the survival of patients with HCC. Unfortunately, some case reports have shown the side effects of Sho-saiko-to. Most of the side effects were interstitial pneumonia and acute respiratory failure induced by Sho-saiko-to in Japan. As a result of analyzing these case reports, the incidence and risk are increased by co-administration of interferon, duration of medication, and, high in an elderly population. This review discusses the properties of Sho-saiko-to with regards to the treatment of chronic liver diseases and suggests the side effects of Sho-saiko-to.

A traditional formula, Chunggan extract, attenuates thioacetamide-induced hepatofibrosis via GSH system in rats

Chunggan extract (CGX) is a hepatotherapeutic herbal formula which has been traditionally used for patients suffering from various hepatic disorders. This study aimed to elucidate antifibrotic effect and mechanisms of CGX in thioacetamide (TAA) model. Hepatic fibrosis was induced in 45 Sprague-Dawley rats by TAA (200 mg kg(-1), intraperitoneally [ip]) on twice per week for 12 weeks. CGX (100 or 200 mg kg(-1), per oral [po]) was administrated once a day throughout the experiment. CGX treatment ameliorated serum biomarkers. CGX administration significantly attenuated distortion of histopathologic finding, and accumulation of hydroxyproline and malondialdehyde (MDA). CGX treatment significantly decreased transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) concentrations and inactivated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). CGX treatment drastically restored glutathione (GSH) system, while inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) significantly down-regulated in liver tissue. CGX showed antifibrotic effect in thioacetamide-induced chronic liver injury model. Its corresponding mechanisms may be mediated via anti-oxidative stress property sustaining GSH system and inhibition of ROS production.

Chinese medicines as a resource for liver fibrosis treatment

Liver fibrosis is a condition of abnormal proliferation of connective tissue due to various types of chronic liver injury often caused by viral infection and chemicals. Effective therapies against liver fibrosis are still limited. In this review, we focus on research on Chinese medicines against liver fibrosis in three categories, namely pure compounds, composite formulae and combination treatment using single compounds with composite formulae or conventional medicines. Action mechanisms of the anti-fibrosis Chinese medicines, clinical application, herbal adverse events and quality control are also reviewed. Evidence indicates that some Chinese medicines are clinically effective on liver fibrosis. Strict quality control such as research to identify and monitor the manufacturing of Chinese medicines enables reliable pharmacological, clinical and in-depth mechanism studies. Further experiments and clinical trials should be carried out on the platforms that conform to international standards.

A survey of Chinese herbal ingredients with liver protection activities

A literature survey was conducted on herbs, their preparations and ingredients with reported liver protection activities, in which a total of 274 different species and hundreds of active ingredients have been examined. These ingredients can be roughly classified into two categories according to their activities: (1) the main ingredients, such as silybin, osthole, coumarin, glycyrrhizin, saikosaponin A, schisandrin A, flavonoids; and (2) supporting substances, such as sugars, amino acids, resins, tannins and volatile oil. Among them, some active ingredients have hepatoprotective activities (e.g. anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant, immunomodulating and liver cirrhosis-regulating effects). Calculation of physicochemical parameters indicates that the main ingredients with negative and positive E_lumo values possibly display their hepatoprotective effects through different mechanisms, such as antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating effects. As the combination of herbs may achieve some treatment effects synergistically and/or additively, it is common in Chinese medicine to use mixtures of various medicinal herbs with pharmacologically active compounds to have synergistic and/or additive effects, or to reduce harmful effects of some pharmacologically active compounds. In particular, the active compounds with Clog P around 2 are suitable for passive transport across membranes and accessible to the target sites. Thus, E_lumo and Clog P values are good indicators among the calculated parameters.

Seven different physicochemical parameters (MW, Clog P, CMR, μ, E_homo, E_lumo and H_f) and four major biological activities (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral/antitumor and immunomodulating) are discussed in this review. It is hoped that the discussion may provide some leads in the development of new hepatoprotective drugs.

Herbal medicine in the treatment of liver diseases

Herbal drugs have become increasingly popular and their use is widespread. Licensing regulations and pharmacovigilance regarding herbal products are still incomplete and clearcut proof of their efficacy in liver diseases is sparse. Nevertheless, a number of herbals show promising activity including silymarin for antifibrotic treatment, phyllantus amarus in chronic hepatitis B, glycyrrhizin to treat chronic viral hepatitis, and a number of herbal combinations from China and Japan that deserve testing in appropriate studies. Apart from therapeutic properties, reports are accumulating about liver injury after the intake of herbals, including those advertised for liver diseases. Acute and/or chronic liver damage occurred after ingestion of some Chinese herbs, herbals that contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids, germander, greater celandine, kava, atractylis gummifera, callilepsis laureola, senna alkaloids, chaparral and many others. Since the evidence supporting the use of botanicals to treat chronic liver diseases is insufficient and only few of them are well standardised and free of potential serious side effects, most of these medications are not recommended outside clinical trials. Particularly with regard to the latter, adequately powered randomised-controlled clinical trials with well-selected end points are needed to assess the role of herbal therapy for liver diseases.

Down-regulatory effects of glycyrrhizin on expression of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 gene promoter

AIM: To investigate the regulatory effects of the glycyrrhizin on the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) gene promoter as well as its molecular biological mechanisms.

METHODS: The report gene expression vector pCAT3-CDK1-P was transfected into the HepG2 cell line, and then stimulated with glycyrrhizin. The HepG2 cells transfected with pCAT3-basic was used as a negative control. The expression level of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) in the transfected HepG2 cells was detected by enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) after 24 h.

RESULTS: pCAT3-CDK1-P activated the expression of CAT in HepG2 cells, while the glycyrrhizin inhibited it. The activity of CAT in pCAT3-CDK1-P transfected cells without stimulation was 9.3 times as high as that in pCAT3-CDK1-P transfected cells stimulated with glycyrrhizin, and 12.4 times as high as that in pCAT3-basic transfected cells.

CONCLUSION: Glycyrrhizin can down-regulate the expression of CDK1 gene promoter, and further down-regulate the expression of CDK1 gene.

The hepatoprotective effect of Bupleurum kaoi, an endemic plant to Taiwan, against dimethylnitrosamine-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats

In the present study, three materials extracted or isolated from the roots of B. kaoi, an endemic plant to Taiwan, were used to be examined the hepatoprotective effect against dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats, they were water extract (BKW), polysaccharide-enriched fractions (BKP) and saponin-enriched fractions (BKS). After treated with DMN for 4 weeks, the levels of aminotrasferases (GOT, GPT) were significantly elevated in serum, and the levels of total protein (TP) and albumin were significantly decreased in serum and liver homogenates. Furthermore, the collagen contents were significantly elevated in liver homogenates and corresponded to the hepatofibrotic pathological examination. As the results showed, treated with groups of BKW, BKP, BKS markedly reduced GOT, GPT levels in rats serum. In addition, treated with groups of BKW, BKP, BKS markedly raised TP levels in rats serum and liver homogenates. Furthermore, treated with groups of BKW, BKP markedly raised albumin levels in rats serum and liver homogenates. Treated with groups of BKW, BKP, BKS markedly raised interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) levels in rats serum, where only BKS and silymarin markedly raised interkeukin-10 (IL-10) levels in rats serum compared to that of DMN treated rats. None of test materials of B. kaoi except silymarin reduced the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, but BKW, BKP markedly raised hepatic glutathione (GSH) levels to reveal the activity of anti-lipid peroxidation. Otherwise, treated with groups of BKW, BKP, BKS significantly reduced collagen contents in rats liver homogenates. In conclusion, B. kaoi demonstrated the anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic activities followed by anti-oxidant activity of enhanced GSH production, enhanced the liver cell regeneration and concerned with regulations of INF-gamma and IL-10. The ability of hepatoprotective and anti-fibrotic activities of B. kaoi are higher than B. chinense, a Bupleuri Radix imported from China to Taiwan.

The role of TGF-beta 1 and cytokines in the modulation of liver fibrosis by Sho-saiko-to in rat's bile duct ligated model

Liver fibrosis is an over-accumulation of extra-cellular matrix (ECM) and the hepatic stellate cell (Ito cell) play a central role in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. There are a lot of growth factors and cytokines involved in the activation of hepatic stellate cell, including of transforming growth factor (TGF-alpha, TGF-beta1), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), interleukin (IL-1alpha,beta, IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha). Sho-saiko-to (TJ-9; Xiao-Chai-Hu-Tang in Chinese) was the most popular herbal medicine for the treatment of chronic liver disease in Chinese and Japanese. Our aim of the current study was to examine whether TJ-9 regulated the growth factors and cytokines in the fibrogenesis of bile duct ligated model. Therefore, we assessed the TJ-9's potential in regulating TGF-beta1, PDGF mRNA expression, the amount of IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha and the fibrotic marker "PIII NP" in the serum. Then, using the immunohistochemical stain to observe the TGF-beta1 expression in the tissue. Our results showed that TJ-9 at a dose of 0.5 g/(kgday) significantly reduced the serum level of PIII NP, the mRNA expression of TGF-beta1 and PDGF. For the cytokines involved in the activation of Ito cell, TJ-9 at a dose of 0.5 g/(kgday) significantly suppressed the increasing tendency of IL-1beta and enhanced the production of TNF-alpha. Finally, we concluded that: (1) TJ-9 at a dose of 0.5g/(kgday) significantly reduced the serum fibrotic marker PIII NP in the bile duct ligated model, and its mechanism was partly by means of downregulating the mRNA of TGF-beta1 and PDGF. These results also confirmed by the immunohistochemical staining of TGF-beta1. (2) TJ-9 at a dose of 0.5 g/(kgday) suppressed the increasing tendency of IL-1beta and stimulated the production of TNF-alpha to inhibit Ito cell proliferation and collagen formation.

Sho-saiko-to prevents liver fibrosis induced by bile duct ligation in rats

Hepatic fibrosis is an over-accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM). It is a result of an imbalance between collagen synthesis and degradation. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) has degradative activity against collagen, but tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP) control the active forms of MMP by blocking the active site of MMP. In our study, we established the bile duct ligated model (BDL) in rats to evaluate anti-fibrotic potential of Chinese medicine sho-saiko-to (TJ-9). We assessed the drug's potential in inhibiting collagen accumulation, suppressing procollagen alpha1 types (I) and (III), and TIMP-1 mRNA expression. After administration of TJ-9, hyperbilirubinemia reduced approximately four-fold when compared with BDL-untreated group. TJ-9 also significantly reduced the collagen content and fibrogenic score, as well as downregulated elevated procollagen alpha1 types (I) and (III) and TIMP-1 mRNA level. Finally, we concluded that (1) TJ-9 significantly reduced cholestasis in rats with BDL, (2) TJ-9 markedly reduced the collagen content by 50%, and (3) TJ-9 exerted its antifibrogenic effect by downregulation of the mRNA expression of procollagen alpha1 types (I) and (III), and TIMP-1 in liver tissue.

Effects of Sho-saiko-to extract and its components, Baicalin, baicalein, glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetic acid, on pharmacokinetic behavior of salicylamide in carbon tetrachloride intoxicated rats

To elucidate the effects of Sho-saiko-to extract and its components, baicalin, baicalein, glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetic acid, against the effects of longer periods of acute hepatic injury induced by CCl4, we measured serum ALT activity in male Wistar rats for five days after ip administration of CCl4 (0.2 ml/kg), and examined the daily changes of the pharmacokinetic behavior of salicylamide (SAM) for five days. Serum ALT activity rose to a maximum level within a day after administration of CCl4 and then decreased to the control level after three. Sho-saiko-to extract and its components could suppress this acute change in serum ALT activity to less than 50% of CCl4 alone. However, the pharmacokinetics of SAM showed that liver function recovers in a biphasic manner, so that plasma clearance (CL) decreased significantly at days 1 and 3 after administration of CCl4 (P<0.05). We concluded that the CL change at day 1 corresponds to the acute action of CCl4 intoxication, and that the change at day 3 is effect of physiologically reduced liver function due to the liver regeneration for tissue repair after the CCl4 hepatic injury. Sho-saiko-to extract and its components were shown to suppress acute hepatic injury induced by CCl4, and to bring about an early recovery in liver function.

Approaches for treatment of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C

In the past 20 years, the elucidation of the mechanisms responsible for liver fibrogenesis has provided many potential targets for antifibrotic treatments. Difficulty has arisen, however, from the fact that fibrogenesis is part of a general beneficial wound healing process. To be successful, an antifibrotic treatment of HCV might need to be delivered selectively to the hepatic site of fibrogenesis or targeted precisely at an HCV-specific regulatory mechanism. It is likely that in the future, besides viral eradication, another treatment goal in chronic HCV infection will be to reverse existing fibrosis, but considerable work is necessary before making this a reality.

Effect of Sho-saiko-to extract on hepatic inflammation and fibrosis in dimethylnitrosamine induced liver injury rats

Sho-saiko-to extract, a Chinese herbal medicine, is widely used for treatment of chronic hepatitis in Japan. However, it is not clear what conditions Sho-saiko-to extract improves hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. We therefore induced various stages of liver injury in model rats and administered Sho-saiko-to extract. We then evaluated the liver inflammation and liver fibrosis-improving effects of Sho-saiko-to extract. The liver injury model rats were produced by administration of various doses of dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) and Sho-saiko-to extract was administered to these rats. Then the liver inflammation and fibrosis-improving effects of Sho-saiko-to extract were evaluated according to L-asparate aminotransferase (AST), L-alanine aminotransferase (ALT), liver retinoid levels, levels of hydroxyproline, Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-beta), and the liver fibrosis area. These indicators depended on the total doses of DMN. The ability of Sho-saiko-to extract to improve liver inflammation and fibrosis was limited to the following levels of the respective parameters: AST levels (234-264 U/l), ALT levels (208-232 U/l), TGF-beta levels (1102-1265 pg/g liver tissue), hydroxyproline levels (633-719 nmol/g liver tissue), and liver fibrosis area (9.7-10.6 times for normal rat). These findings suggested that Sho-saiko-to extract is effective in the treatment of liver inflammation and fibrosis up to a certain degree of severity, but it produces no improvement in more severe cases.

Effects of extract derived from Eriobotrya japonica on liver function improvement in rats

Eriobotrya japonica is considered a medicinal plant, and its leaves (Eriobotrya folia) have been used to treat skin diseases, as well as to relieve inflammation, pain, coughing, and sputa. In our evaluation of the pharmacological efficacy of the seed extracts, constituents of the seeds were found to contain the unsaturated fatty acids linolenic and linoleic acids and the sterol beta-sitosterol in the 70% EtOH and the MeOH extracts. The seed extracts were orally administered to rats with dimethylnitrosamine-induced hepatopathy, and blood L-asparate aminotransferase (AST) and L-alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, liver retinoid level, and hydroxyproline level were measured. Liver fibrosis rates calculated after Azan-Mallory staining and evaluation of the liver function-improving effects of extracts were showed that AST, ALT, and hydroxyproline levels and liver fibrosis rates were significantly lower, and retinoid levels were significantly higher in hepatopathic rats treated with 70% EtOH and MeOH extracts of the seed than in water-treated control rats. This suggests that the positive effect on liver function of the extracts varies depending on the extracting solvent used. 70% EtOH and MeOH extract of the seeds inhibited the development of liver fibrosis in hepatopathic rats, thus exhibiting potent improvement. The unsaturated linolenic and linoleic acids and the sterol beta-sitosterol contained in these extracts may also contribute to the improvement of liver function.

Anti-HIV activity of medicinal herbs: usage and potential development

The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a result of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection which subsequently leads to significant suppression of immune functions. AIDS is a significant threat to the health of mankind, and the search for effective therapies to treat AIDS is of paramount importance. Several chemical anti-HIV agents have been developed. However, besides the high cost, there are adverse effects and limitations associated with using chemotherapy for the treatment of HIV infection. Thus, herbal medicines have frequently been used as an alternative medical therapy by HIV positive individuals and AIDS patients. The aim of this review is to summarize research findings for herbal medicines, which are endowed with the ability to inhibit HIV. In this article, we will emphasize a Chinese herbal medicine, Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi and its identified components (i.e., baicalein and baicalin), which have been shown to inhibit infectivity and replication of HIV. Potential development of anti-AIDS compounds using molecular modeling methods will also be discussed.