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Song YN, Zhang GB, Lu YY, Chen QL, Yang L, Wang ZT, Liu P, Su SB. Huangqi decoction alleviates dimethylnitrosamine-induced liver fibrosis: An analysis of bile acids metabolic mechanism. J Ethnopharmacol 2016; 189:148-156. [PMID: 27196295 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2016.05.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2015] [Revised: 01/30/2016] [Accepted: 05/16/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Huangqi Decoction (HQD), a classical traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, is used to treating liver injury in China. The aim of the study is to investigate mechanisms of HQD against dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced liver fibrosis underlying metabolic profiles of bile acids. MATERIALS AND METHODS DMN-induced liver fibrosis rats were administrated HQD and its compounds, astragalosides (AS), glycyrrhizic acid (GA) and their combination. The anti-fibrosis effects were evaluated and targeted metabolomics by UPLC-MS was used to examine whether HQD had an influence on bile acid metabolism. The levels of mRNAs associated with bile acid metabolism were expressed by RT-PCR. Chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA)-induced hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) proliferation and activation were examined using MTS assay and Western blot. RESULTS Histopathological changes and serum liver function in HQD group had significant improvements (P<0.01). Concentrations of free bile acids and taurine conjugates were significantly increased in DMN group (P<0.05). HQD and its compounds restored the increased bile acids to normal levels, and HQD was more effected on parts of bile acids. Furthermore, the levels of mRNAs related bile acid synthesis and reabsorption such as CYP7A1, CYP8B1, CYP27A1, OATP2, OATP3, OATP4 and NTCP were significantly down-regulated in DMN group (P<0.05), mRNAs related excretion such as MRP3 and BESP were up-regulated (P<0.01), and CYP7A1, CYP8B1, OATP3, OATP4, NTCP and MRP3 restored to normal levels by HQD treatment. Moreover, CDCA-induced HSCs proliferation and activation were weaken by HQD (P<0.05) with down-regulated α-SMA, TGF-β1, p-Smad2 and p-Smad3 expressions. CONCLUSIONS HQD alleviated DMN-induced liver fibrosis with a better effect than its compounds, which may be involved in the regulation of bile acid metabolism enzyme. Moreover, HQD may inhibit CDCA-induced HSCs proliferation and activation.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Astragalus propinquus
- Bile Acids and Salts/blood
- Biomarkers/blood
- Cell Proliferation/drug effects
- Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/enzymology
- Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/genetics
- Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/pathology
- Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/prevention & control
- Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
- Dimethylnitrosamine
- Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology
- Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic
- Hepatic Stellate Cells/drug effects
- Hepatic Stellate Cells/enzymology
- Hepatic Stellate Cells/pathology
- Hydroxyproline/metabolism
- Liver/drug effects
- Liver/enzymology
- Liver/pathology
- Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental/chemically induced
- Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental/enzymology
- Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental/genetics
- Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental/pathology
- Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental/prevention & control
- Male
- Mass Spectrometry
- Metabolomics/methods
- Protective Agents/pharmacology
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Rats, Wistar
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Nan Song
- Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine Complexity System, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China.
| | - Gui-Biao Zhang
- Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine Complexity System, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China.
| | - Yi-Yu Lu
- Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine Complexity System, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China.
| | - Qi-Long Chen
- Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine Complexity System, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China.
| | - Li Yang
- Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine and System biology, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203 China.
| | - Zheng-Tao Wang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China.
| | - Ping Liu
- E-institutes of Traditional Chinese Internal Medicine, Shanghai Municipal Education Commission, Shanghai 201203, China.
| | - Shi-Bing Su
- Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine Complexity System, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China.
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Al-Attar AM, Al-Rethea HA. Chemoprotective effect of omega-3 fatty acids on thioacetamide induced hepatic fibrosis in male rats. Saudi J Biol Sci 2016; 24:956-965. [PMID: 28490971 PMCID: PMC5415165 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2016.01.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2015] [Revised: 01/02/2016] [Accepted: 01/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The current study was designed to investigate the possible protective effect of omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil on hepatic fibrosis induced by thioacetamide (TAA) in male rats. The experimental animals were divided into four groups. The first group was received saline solution and served as control. The second group was given 250 mg/kg body weight of TAA. The third group was treated with omega-3 fatty acids and TAA. The fourth group was given saline solution and supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids. Treatment of rats with TAA for three and six weeks resulted in a significant decrease in body weight gain, while the value of liver/body weight ratio was statistically increased. Furthermore, the levels of serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyl transferase and total bilirubin were significantly increased. After three weeks of exposure to only TAA, liver sections showed an abnormal morphology characterized by noticeable fibrosis with the extracellular matrix collagen contents and damage of liver cells’ structure. Liver sections from rats treated with only TAA for six weeks revealed an obvious increase in extracellular matrix collagen content and bridging fibrosis. Treating TAA-intoxicated rats with omega-3 fatty acids significantly attenuated the severe physiological and histopathological changes. Finally, the present investigation suggests that omega-3 fatty acids could act against hepatic fibrosis induced by TAA due to its antioxidant properties, thus supporting its use in hepatic fibrosis therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atef M Al-Attar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 139109, Jeddah 21323, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hayfa A Al-Rethea
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 139109, Jeddah 21323, Saudi Arabia
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Chu X, Wang H, Jiang Y, Zhang Y, Bao Y, Zhang X, Zhang J, Guo H, Yang F, Luan Y, Dong Y. Ameliorative effects of tannic acid on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis in vivo and in vitro. J Pharmacol Sci 2016; 130:15-23. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jphs.2015.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2015] [Revised: 11/23/2015] [Accepted: 12/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
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Zhong L, Sun YL, Shi WL, Ma X, Chen Z, Wang JB, Li RS, Song XA, Liu HH, Zhao YL, Xiao XH. Protective effect of fu-qi granule on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis in rats. World J Pharmacol 2015; 4:227-235. [DOI: 10.5497/wjp.v4.i2.227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2014] [Revised: 01/09/2015] [Accepted: 04/09/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To investigate the efficacy of fu-qi granule (FQG) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver fibrosis in rats and the underlying mechanisms.
METHODS: Sixty rats were randomly divided into six groups: normal control group, CCl4 induced liver fibrosis group, AnluoHuaxianWan group and three treatment groups of FQG. Treatment of rats with intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride solution at 0.3 mL per 100 g body weigh twice a week for 8 wk. The normal control group the rats were given the media (olive oil) at the same time. In the first 2 wk, rats were raised with feedstuff (80% corn meal, 20% lard, 0.5% cholesterol). Serum samples were collected for alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, albumin, total protein assay and typical histopathological changes was observed in Hematoxylin-eosin staining sections. Smooth muscle alpha actin (α-SMA) was analyzed with immunohistochemistry. Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1α) expressions were detected by Western blotting. Tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) and matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9) were measured with semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.
RESULTS: FQG significantly reduced the serum levels of alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and increased the serum contents of albumin, total protein in rats with liver fibrosis. Moreover, FQG promoted extracellular matrix degradation by increasing MMP-9 and inhibiting TIMP-1 and α-SMA. mTOR and HIF-1α expression in liver significantly decreased in the rats treated with FQG.
CONCLUSION: The results indicated that FQG significantly reverse fibrosis induced by CCl4, which should be developed as a new and promising preparation for the prevention of liver fibrosis.
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Zhang YF, Wang F, Li FH, Sun YF, Zhang Y, Guo PR, He LL, Zhu YN. Influence of Biejiajian pill on PDGF and Ras signaling pathways in hepatic fibrosis in rats. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2014; 22:4060-4067. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v22.i27.4060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To explore the anti-fibrotic mechanism of Biejiajian pill, a traditional Chinese medicine for activating blood circulation and eliminating stasis, in rats with hepatic fibrosis.
METHODS: Hepatic fibrosis was induced in rats by subcutaneous injection of CCl4. SD rats were randomly divided into five groups: a control group, a model group, low-, medium- and high-dose Biejiajian pill treatment groups. The three treatment groups were given Biejiajian pill 0.55, 1.10, and 2.20 g/(kg•d), respectively, while the normal control group and model group were treated with equal volume of normal saline by gavage. At the 11th week, hepatic pathological changes were observed. The immunohistochemical technique was applied to analyze the expression of extracellular signal regulated kinase 1 (ERK1) in hepatic tissue. RT-PCR was applied to analyze the expression of platelet derivative growth factor (PDGF) and Ras mRNAs in hepatic tissue.
RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the expression levels of ERK1 protein and PDGF and Ras mRNAs increased significantly in the model group (0.19 ± 0.001 vs 0.71 ± 0.018, 0.12 ± 0.000 vs 0.42 ± 0.006, 0.12 ± 0.000 vs 0.44 ± 0.017, P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, Biejiajian pill significantly improved hepatic pathological changes and decreased the expression of ERK1 protein and PDGF and Ras mRNAs, and the efficacy of high-dose Biejiajian pill was the best.
CONCLUSION: Biejiajian pill can improve hepatic pathological changes in rats with hepatic fibrosis possibly via mechanisms associated with activating the Ras/ERK signaling pathway.
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Lin X, Zhang S, Huang R, Tan S, Liang S, Wu X, Zhuo L, Huang Q. Protective effect of tormentic acid from Potentilla chinensis against lipopolysaccharide/d-galactosamine induced fulminant hepatic failure in mice. Int Immunopharmacol 2014; 19:365-72. [DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2014.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2013] [Revised: 01/27/2014] [Accepted: 02/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Zhang C, Wang Y, Chen H, Yang G, Wang S, Jiang M, Cong L, Yuan L, Li H, Jia Y. Protective effect of the herbal medicine Gan‑fu‑kang against carbon tetrachloride‑induced liver fibrosis in rats. Mol Med Rep 2013; 8:954-62. [PMID: 23857550 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2013.1587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2013] [Accepted: 07/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of a herbal medicine formula, Gan-fu-kang (GFK), on the treatment of liver fibrosis in rats and the mechanisms via which it exerts its effect. Liver fibrosis was induced in rats by subcutaneous injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) at 0.5 mg/kg body weight, twice a week for 8 weeks. The rats were randomly selected to receive saline or GFK at 31.25, 312.5 or 3,125 mg/kg body weight/day between weeks 9 and 20. An additional group of rats without CCl4 injection was used as the baseline. In the liver fibrosis model rats, an increase in plasma liver enzymes, fibrotic markers in serum and liver fibrosis, production of α-smooth muscle actin, matrix metalloproteinase-2 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, synthesis of collagen and activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway were observed. GFK administration was found to significantly reduce these changes. Results of this study demonstrate that GFK has a protective and therapeutic effect on liver fibrosis induced by CCl4, which may be associated with its inhibitory activity on HSC proliferation and collagen synthesis, effectively downregulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caihua Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, P.R. China
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Gou X, Tao Q, Feng Q, Peng J, Zhao Y, Dai J, Wang W, Zhang Y, Hu Y, Liu P. Urine metabolic profile changes of CCl4-liver fibrosis in rats and intervention effects of Yi Guan Jian Decoction using metabonomic approach. Altern Ther Health Med 2013; 13:123. [PMID: 23725349 PMCID: PMC3680307 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-13-123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2012] [Accepted: 05/30/2013] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Background Yi Guan Jian Decoction (YGJD), a famous Chinese prescription, has long been employed clinically to treat liver fibrosis. However, as of date, there is no report on the effects of YGJD from a metabonomic approach. In this study, a urine metabonomic method based on gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was employed to study the protective efficacy and metabolic profile changes caused by YGJD in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis. Methods Urine samples from Wistar rats of three randomly divided groups (control, model, and YGJD treated) were collected at various time-points, and the metabolic profile changes were analyzed by GC/MS with principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares-discriminate analysis (PLS-DA). Furthermore, histopathology and biochemical examination were also carried out to ensure the success of CCl4-induced liver fibrosis model. Results Urine metabolic profile studies suggested distinct clustering of the three groups, and YGJD group was much closer to the control group by showing a tendency of recovering towards the control group. Fourteen significantly changed metabolites were found, and YGJD treatment could reverse the levels of these metabolites to normal levels or close to normal levels. Conclusions The current study indicates that the YGJD has significant anti-fibrotic effects on CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in rats, which might be by regulating the dysfunction of energy metabolism, amino acid metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, cytochrome P450 metabolism, and gut microflora metabolism. The metabonomic approach can be recommended to study the pharmacological effect and mechanism of complex Chinese medicines.
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Huang Q, Huang R, Zhang S, Lin J, Wei L, He M, Zhuo L, Lin X. Protective effect of genistein isolated from Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides on hepatic injury and fibrosis induced by chronic alcohol in rats. Toxicol Lett. 2013;217:102-110. [PMID: 23274713 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2012.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2012] [Revised: 12/16/2012] [Accepted: 12/17/2012] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
This study examined the effect of genistein isolated from Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides on chronic alcohol-induced hepatic injury and fibrosis. Rats underwent intragastric administration of alcohol (5.0-9.5g/kg) once a day for 24 weeks. A subset of rats were also intragastrically treated with genistein (0.5, 1 or 2mg/kg) once a day. Genistein significantly decreased the plasma alcohol concentration, inhibited the activities of alanine and aspartate aminotransferases and decreased levels of inflammatory mediators, including interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor-α and myeloperoxidase, via down-regulation of nuclear factor-κB. Moreover, genistein effectively inhibited collagen deposition and reduced pathological tissue damage as determined by hepatic fibrosis biomarkers, such as total hyaluronic acid, laminin, and type III collagen. Mechanistically, studies showed that genistein markedly reduced lipid peroxidation, recruited the anti-oxidative defense system, inhibited CYP2El activity, promoted extracellular matrix degradation by modulating the levels of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 and matrix metalloproteinase-2, induced HSC apoptosis by down-regulating B-cell lymphoma 2 mRNA, and inhibited the expression of α-smooth muscle actin and transforming growth factor β(1) proteins. In conclusion, genistein exerts a preventative effect to ameliorate developing liver injury and even liver fibrosis induced by chronic alcohol administration in rats.
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Huang Q, Li Y, Zhang S, Huang R, Zheng L, Wei L, He M, Liao M, Li L, Zhuo L, Lin X. Effect and mechanism of methyl helicterate isolated from Helicteres angustifolia (Sterculiaceae) on hepatic fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats. J Ethnopharmacol 2012; 143:889-895. [PMID: 22967666 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2012.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2011] [Revised: 08/10/2012] [Accepted: 08/17/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Methyl helicterate is a triterpenoid isolated from Helicteres angustifolia (Sterculiaceae), one of the valuable traditional Chinese herbs. Antifibrotic activities of H. angustifolia have been extensively proved. AIM OF THE STUDY The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of methyl helicterate (MH) on liver fibrosis in rats induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) and to explore its underlying mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS Hepatic fibrosis was induced in male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats by intragastric administration with 2 ml/kg CCl(4) (mixed 1:1 in peanut oil) twice a week for 12 weeks. To evaluate the effect of MH (16.72, 33.45, 66.90 mg/kg) on hepatic fibrosis, liver function, histological study and hepatic fibrosis evaluation were performed. Liver function was assessed by determining the serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), albumin (Alb) and total protein (TP). The biomarkers such as hydroxyproline (Hyp), hyaluronic acid (HA), type III precollagen (PCIII) and laminin (LN) were examined for the evaluation of hepatic fibrosis. The underlying mechanism was investigated by measuring oxidative stress level and detecting the expression of TGF-β1 mRNA and Smad3 protein. RESULTS MH (33.45, 66.90 mg/kg) treatment significantly inhibited the loss of body weight and the increase of liver index in rats induced by CCl(4). MH also improved the liver function as indicated by decreasing serum enzymatic activities of ALT, AST, TP and Alb (P<0.05). Histological results indicated that MH alleviated liver damage and reduced the formation of fibrous septa. Moreover, MH significantly decreased liver Hyp, HA, LN and PCIII (P<0.05). Research on mechanism showed that MH could markedly reduce liver malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, increase activities of liver superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and inhibit the expression of TGF-β1 mRNA and Smad3 protein (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicated that MH can inhibit CCl(4)-induced hepatic fibrosis, which may be ascribed to its radical scavenging action, antioxidant activity, and modulation of TGF-β-Smad3 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quanfang Huang
- First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Traditional Chinese Medicine University, Nanning 530023, China
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Lin X, Zhang S, Huang Q, Wei L, Zheng L, Chen Z, Jiao Y, Huang J, Fu S, Huang R. Protective effect of Fufang-Liu-Yue-Qing, a traditional Chinese herbal formula, on CCl4 induced liver fibrosis in rats. J Ethnopharmacol 2012; 142:548-556. [PMID: 22658988 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2012.05.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2012] [Accepted: 05/23/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Chinese prescription Fufang-Liu-Yue-Qing (FLYQ) has long been employed clinically to treat chronic hepatitis B, and we have reported its beneficial effects on liver fibrosis in vitro. The present study was investigated to verify protective effects of FLYQ on liver fibrosis in a rat model and to investigate the underlying mechanisms which have not been explored yet. MATERIALS AND METHODS Liver fibrosis was established by intragastric administration of 2 ml/kg CCl(4) twice a week for 12 weeks. During the experiment, the model group received CCl(4) only, and the normal control group received an equal volume of saline. Treatment groups received not only CCl(4) for 12 weeks, but also the corresponding drugs, colchicine (1.00 mg/kg/day) or FLYQ (300, 150, 75 mg/kg/day) from 5 to 12 weeks. RESULTS Analysis experiments showed that FLYQ could significantly alleviate liver injury, as indicated by decreasing levels of ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, IL-6 and TNF-α. Moreover, FLYQ could effectively inhibit collagen deposition and reduce the pathological tissue damage. Research on mechanism showed that FLYQ was able to markedly reduce lipid peroxidation, recruit the anti-oxidative defense system, promote ECM degradation by modulating the levels of TIMP-1 and MMP-2, and induce HSC apoptosis by down-regulating bcl-2 mRNA, as well as inhibit the expressions of α-SMA and TGF-β(1) proteins. CONCLUSIONS Our results show that FLYQ is effective in attenuating hepatic injury and fibrosis in the CCl(4)-induced rat model, which should be developed as a new drug for treatment of liver fibrosis and even cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Lin
- Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
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Huang QF, Zhang SJ, Zheng L, Liao M, He M, Huang R, Zhuo L, Lin X. Protective effect of isoorientin-2″-O-α-l-arabinopyranosyl isolated from Gypsophila elegans on alcohol induced hepatic fibrosis in rats. Food Chem Toxicol 2012; 50:1992-2001. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2012.03.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2012] [Revised: 03/02/2012] [Accepted: 03/08/2012] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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El-Batch M, Ibrahim W, Said S. Effect of histidine on autotaxin activity in experimentally induced liver fibrosis. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2010; 25:143-50. [DOI: 10.1002/jbt.20370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2010] [Revised: 07/13/2010] [Accepted: 07/31/2010] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Lou JL, Jiang MN, Li C, Zhou Q, He X, Lei HY, Li J, Jia YJ. Herb medicine Gan-fu-kang attenuates liver injury in a rat fibrotic model. J Ethnopharmacol 2010; 128:131-138. [PMID: 20056141 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2009.12.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2009] [Revised: 09/10/2009] [Accepted: 12/28/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
AIM OF THE STUDY To verify therapeutic effects of Gan-fu-kang (GFK), a traditional Chinese medicine compound, in a rat model and to investigate the underlying mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS Liver fibrosis was established by 12 weeks of carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) treatment (0.5mg/kg, twice per week) followed by 8 weeks of "recovery" in rats. Rats randomly received GFK (31.25, 312.5 and 3125 mg/kg/day, p.o.) or vehicle from weeks 9 to 20, and were sacrificed at the end of week 20 for histological, biochemical, and molecular biological examinations. In a separate set of experiments, rats received 12 weeks of CCl(4) treatment, concomitant with GFK (312.5mg/kg/day, p.o.) during the same period in some subjects, but were then sacrificed immediately. An additional group of rats receiving no CCl(4) treatment served as normal controls. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS (1) CCl(4) treatment resulted in severe liver damage and fibrosis. (2) In the main block of the 20-week study, GFK attenuated liver damage and fibrosis. (3) In the 12-week study, GFK produced prevention effect against hepatic injury. (4) GFK suppressed the expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), type I collagen, platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB)/PDGF receptor-beta chains (PDGFRbeta) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs)/active protein-1 (AP-1) signal pathways. Taken together, these results indicated that GFK could attenuate liver injuries in both settings. Our findings also suggest that the AP-1 pathway is the likely molecular substrate for the observed GFK effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Lei Lou
- Department of Pathophysiology, Dalian Medical University, South Road West Section 9, Lvshunkou District, Dalian, Liaoning Province 116044, China
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Wang L, Cheng D, Wang H, Di L, Zhou X, Xu T, Yang X, Liu Y. The hepatoprotective and antifibrotic effects of Saururus chinensis against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatic fibrosis in rats. J Ethnopharmacol 2009; 126:487-491. [PMID: 19761824 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2009.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2009] [Revised: 09/03/2009] [Accepted: 09/08/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Saururus chinensis (Lour.) Baill (Saururaceae) has been used in Chinese folk medicine for treatment of various diseases, such as edema, jaundice, gonorrhea, antipyretic, diuretic, and antiinflammatory agents. AIM OF THE STUDY Our aim was to evaluate the hepatoprotective and antifibrotic effects of Saururus chinensis extract (SC-E) in carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) induced liver fibrosis rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS The SC-E (70 mg/kg) was administrated via gavage once a day starting from the onset of CCl(4) treatment (14 weeks) for subsequent 8 weeks. Evaluated with liver index, serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), hyaluronic acid (HA), hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), total lipoprotein (TP), albumin (ALB), hydroxyproline (HYP), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), laminin (LN), type III collagen terminal peptide (PC-IIINP), and type IV collagen (IV-C), as well as with histopathologic changes of liver. RESULTS SC-E effectively reduced the elevated levels of liver index, serum ALT, AST, HA, and hepatic MDA contents, enhance the reduced hepatic SOD activity in CCl(4)-treated rats. The histopathological analysis suggested that SC-E obviously alleviated the degree of liver fibrosis induced by CCl(4). CONCLUSIONS Those results suggest SC-E has protective and therapeutic effects on liver fibrosis induced by CCl(4).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lishu Wang
- Jilin Provincial Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences, Changchun 130021, China
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Dong MX, Jia Y, Zhang YB, Li CC, Geng YT, Zhou L, Li XY, Liu JC, Niu YC. Emodin protects rat liver from CCl 4-induced fibrogenesis via inhibition of hepatic stellate cells activation. World J Gastroenterol 2009; 15:4753-62. [PMID: 19824107 PMCID: PMC2761551 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.15.4753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To investigate the role of emodin in protecting the liver against fibrogenesis caused by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats and to further explore the underlying mechanisms.
METHODS: Rat models of experimental hepatic fibrosis were established by injection with CCl4; the treated rats received emodin via oral administration at a dosage of 20 mg/kg twice a week at the same time. Rats injected with olive oil served as a normal group. Histopathological changes were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in serum and hepatic hydroxyproline content were assayed by biochemical analyses. The mRNA and protein relevant to hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation in the liver were assessed using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunohistochemistry, western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
RESULTS: The degree of hepatic fibrosis increased markedly in the CCl4 group compared to the normal group (P < 0.01), and decreased markedly in the emodin group compared to the CCl4 group according to METAVIR scale (P < 0.01) compared with those in the normal control group (51.02 ± 10.64 IU/L and 132.28 ± 18.14 IU/L). The activities of serum ALT and AST were significantly higher in rats injected with CCl4 (289.25 ± 68.84 IU/L and 423.89 ± 35.67 IU/L, both P < 0.05). The activities of serum ALT and AST were significantly reduced by administration of emodin (176.34 ± 47.29 IU/L and 226.1 ± 44.52 IU/L, both P < 0.05). Compared with the normal controls (54.53 ± 13.46 mg/g), hepatic hydroxyproline content was significantly higher in rats injected with CCl4 (120.27 ± 28.47 mg/g, P < 0.05). Hepatic hydroxyproline content was significantly reduced in the rats treated with emodin at 20 mg/kg (71.25 ± 17.02 mg/g, P < 0.05). Emodin significantly protected the liver from injury by reducing serum AST and ALT activities and reducing hepatic hydroxyproline content. The mRNA levels of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), Smad4 and α-SMA in liver tissues were significantly down-regulated in SD rats that received emodin treatment. Furthermore, significant down-regulation of serum TGF-β1 protein levels and protein expression of Smad4 and α-SMA in liver tissues was also observed in the rats. Emodin inhibited HSC activation by reducing the abundance of TGF-β1 and Smad4.
CONCLUSION: Emodin protects the rat liver from CCl4-induced fibrogenesis by inhibiting HSC activation. Emodin might be a therapeutic antifibrotic agent for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis.
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