Protective effects of Ginkgo biloba, Panax ginseng, and Schizandra chinensis extract on liver injury in rats

This study investigated the effects of the combined extracts of Ginkgo biloba, Panax ginseng, and Schizandra chinensis at different doses on hepatic antioxidant status and fibrosis in rats with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver injury. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 8-12 per group) were divided into the control, CCl4, CCl4 + silymarin (0.35%), CCl4 + low-dose herbal extract (0.24% of Ginkgo biloba, Panax ginseng, and Schizandra chinensis extract at 1:1:1; LE), and CCl4 + high-dose herbal extract (1.20% of the same herbal extract; HE) groups. Silymarin or herbal extract was orally given to rats a week before chronic intraperitoneal injection with CCl4 for 6 weeks. The pathological results showed that herbal extract suppressed hepatic bile duct proliferation, and low-dose herbal extract inhibited liver fibrosis. Hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was lower in the CCl4 group, but there was no difference in the silymarin or herbal extract treated groups compared to the control group. Hepatic catalase activity and the ratio of reduced to oxidized glutathione were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the HE group than those in the CCl4 group. Silymarin and herbal extract reversed the impaired hepatic total antioxidant status (p < 0.05). Herbal extract partially reduced the elevated hepatic lipid peroxides. Hepatic transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) level decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in the LE group. Therefore, high-dose herbal extract improved hepatic antioxidant capacity through enhancing catalase activity and glutathione redox status, whereas low-dose herbal extract inhibited liver fibrosis through decreasing hepatic TGF-beta1 level in rats with CCl4-induced liver injury.     

JinSanE decoction, a chinese herbal medicine, inhibits expression of TGF-beta1/Smads in experimental hepatic fibrosis in rats

The study is to investigate the effects of a Chinese herbal medicine, JinSanE decoction, on the TGF-beta1/Smads signal transduction pathway in a carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced hepatic fibrosis model in rats. Rats were randomly divided into 4 study groups: namely, a normal control group, a hepatic fibrosis model group, and 2 treatment groups with different doses of JinSanE (6 and 12 g/kg). Ten rats in each group were sacrificed at 4 and 8 weeks after exposure to CCl(4) respectively. The levels of TGF-beta1 and TRII mRNA in liver tissue were analyzed by RT-PCR. The expressions of TGF-beta1, Smad3 and Smad7 in liver tissues were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The liver histopathology was examined by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and electron microscopy respectively. The liver hydroxyproline (HYP), liver function and hyaluronic acid (HA) were examined by biochemistry and radioimmunoassay (RIA) respectively. Compared with the hepatic fibrosis model group, the levels of TGF-beta1, TRII mRNA and Smad3 expression significantly decreased in the 2 treatment groups. The expression of Smad7 was significantly increased in the liver of the rats treated with JinSanE (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). The histological changes of fibrotic liver were obviously improved in the treatment rats. The levels of liver HYP, serum liver function and HA were also remarkably improved in the treatment rats. Moreover, the effects of JinSanE occurred in a dose- and time-dependent manner in the process of the protection of liver injury and fibrosis. JinSanE decoction had a protective effect on liver injury and could ameliorate hepatic fibrosis in rats. The mechanisms might be associated with their effects of down-regulating TGF-beta1, TRII mRNA and Smad3, and up-regulating Smad7.     

Protective effects of total flavonoids of Bidens pilosa L. (TFB) on animal liver injury and liver fibrosis

The hepatoprotective effects of total flavonoids of Bidens pilosa L. (TFB), a traditional Chinese medicine were evaluated in carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced liver injury in mice and rats. Total flavonoids of Bidens pilosa L. (25, 50 and 100mg/kg) were administered via gavage daily for 10 days to CCl(4)-treated mice as well as TFB (30, 60 and 90mg/kg) administered for 6 weeks to CCl(4)-treated rats. Liver index (liver weight/body weight), serum levels of transaminases (alanine aminotransferase, ALT and aspartate aminotransferase, AST), hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) content, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were evaluated following the 10 days treatment in mice. In addition histopathologic changes and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) expression of the liver were detected with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and immunohistochemistry methods, respectively. The results showed that TFB (50 and 100mg/kg) effectively reduced the CCl(4)-induced elevated liver index, serum ALT, AST levels, hepatic MDA content, and restored hepatic SOD, GSH-Px activities in acute liver injury mice. TFB (60 and 90mg/kg) treatment significantly inhibited NF-kappaB activation in liver fibrosis of rats. The histopathological analysis suggested that TFB reduced the degree of liver injury in mice and severity of liver fibrosis in rats. These results suggested that TFB had a protective and therapeutic effect on animal liver injury, which might be associated with its antioxidant properties and inhibition of NF-kappaB activation.     

Preventive and curative effect of Lygodium flexuosum (L.) Sw. on carbon tetrachloride induced hepatic fibrosis in rats

The preventive and curative effect of Lygodium flexuosum on experimentally induced hepatic fibrosis by carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) was evaluated in rats. Hepatic fibrosis was induced in male Wistar rats by CCl(4) administration (150 microL/100g rat weight, oral) twice a week for 10 weeks. In preventive treatment daily doses of Lygodium flexuosum n-hexane extract (200 mg/kg, p.o) was administered for 10 weeks. In curative treatment Lygodium flexuosum extract (200 mg/kg, p.o) was given for 2 weeks after the establishment of fibrosis for 10 weeks. Treatment with CCl(4) caused a significant decrease in body and liver weight. Lygodium flexuosum n-hexane extract prevented or reversed the decline in body and liver weight. Treatment with the extract prevented or restored the elevation of serum AST, ALT and LDH levels. Lygodium flexuosum treatment remarkably prevented or reversed an increase in liver hydroxyproline content in chronically treated rats. Histopathological changes of hepatic lesions induced by CCl(4) were significantly (p < or = 0.05) improved by treatment with Lygodium flexuosum. These results support that Lygodium flexuosum exerts effective protection in carbon tetrachloride induced hepatic fibrosis in rats.     

Effects and mechanisms of crude astragalosides fraction on liver fibrosis in rats

Astragalosides is the major active constituent of Radix Astragali. The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of crude astragalosides fraction (CAF) on rats liver fibrosis and its possible mechanisms. Hepatic fibrosis was induced by subcutaneous injection with 50% CCl(4) in Sprague-Dawley rats. The amount of CCl(4) administered was 1 mg kg(-1). The alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels in plasma and hydroxyproline (Hyp), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) contents in liver tissue were assayed by spectrophotometry. The hyaluronic acid (HA) and procollagen III (PC III) were assessed by radioimmunoassay. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) levels in culture supernatants of Kupffer cells (KCs) were determined with ELISA. Liver samples collected after 8 weeks of CCl(4) treatment were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and massion, and scored. Intragastric administration of CAF (10, 20 and 40 mg kg(-1)) significantly decreased indices of liver and spleen, the serum transaminase activities, HA and PC III levels, and Hyp and MDA contents in liver tissue in rats of hepatic fibrosis. Decreased SOD and GSH-px levels were reversed after administration of CAF. Histopathological scores showed CAF had inhibitory effect on the progression of hepatic fibrosis. In the in vitro experiments, CAF significantly reduced TNF-alpha and TGF-beta1 levels in culture supernatants of KCs. The results showed CAF significantly inhibited the progression of hepatic fibrosis induced by CCl(4), and the inhibitory effect of CAF on hepatic fibrosis might be associated with its ability to scavenge free radical and inhibit the production of TNF-alpha and TGF-beta1 from activated KCs.     

大黄虫丸对大鼠肝星状细胞表达TGF-β1的影响

目的：探讨大黄Zhe虫丸对大鼠肝星状细胞表达转化生长因子β1(TGF-β1)的影响。方法：用CCl4复合因素致大鼠肝纤维化模型,同时分别给予3种剂量大黄Zhe虫丸治疗,免疫组化方法观察TGF-β1、α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)的合成表达及纤维化程度分级。结果：经给予大黄Zhe虫丸干预治疗常规剂量组大鼠TGF-β1、α-SMA表达与模型组比较差异无显著性(P>0.05),但双倍剂量组和三倍剂量组TGF-β1、α-SMA在汇管区及不连续纤维间隔的表达明显减弱(P相似文献   

姜黄素抗肝纤维化的实验研究

目的：探讨姜黄素对四氯化碳（CCl4)中毒性纤维化的治疗作用。方法：复制大鼠CCl4肝纤维化模型，以马洛替酯为阳性对照，采用光镜观察组织学改变，测定血清谷丙氨酸转移酶（ALT），谷草氨酸转移酶（AST），一氧化氮（NO），透明质酸（HA），层粘连蛋白（LN），肝组织羟脯氨酸（Hyp，丙二醛（MDA）以反映肝细胞损伤及肝纤维化的程度。结果：姜黄素能降低实验性肝纤维化大鼠血清中升高的ALT,AST,NO,HA,LN水平和过高的肝组织中Hyp,MDA的含量。病理组织学检查亦表明，姜黄素明显改善实验性肝纤维化。结论：姜黄素可能对实验性肝纤维化具有一定的治疗作用。     

沙棘籽油对大鼠实验性肝纤维化的保护作用

目的 :观察沙棘籽油对大鼠肝纤维化的影响。方法 :用CCl4反复给予诱发大鼠产生肝纤维化 ,观察沙棘籽油的效果。结果 :CCl4组大鼠血清ALT、AST活力和肝脏羟脯氨酸含量明显增高 ,体重减轻。沙棘籽油 0 7和 0 3 5 g/kg均能抑制CCl4所致肝损伤大鼠血清ALT活力的升高 ,还可使肝脏羟脯氨酸含量下降 ,但对AST活力、总蛋白、白蛋白和球蛋白含量无明显影响。给药组大鼠肝脏脂肪变性、肝细胞坏死和纤维化均有所减轻。结论 :沙棘籽油对CCl4所致大鼠肝纤维化有一定保护作用。     

肝纤康对大鼠肝纤维化的抑制作用及其机制研究

目的观察肝纤康对CCl4诱导的大鼠肝纤维化的影响并探讨其可能机制。方法用CCl4复制大鼠肝纤维化模型,同时予以肝纤康灌胃治疗,测定血清ALT、MDA、HA、LM及肝组织GSH、Hyp含量,并观察肝组织病理变化。结果模型组血清ALT、MDA、HA、LM及肝组织Hyp含量显著升高,肝组织GSH含量显著降低,肝纤维化病变明显;肝纤康治疗组血清ALT、MDA、HA、LM及肝组织Hyp含量明显降低,肝组织GSH含量明显升高,肝纤维化病变明显减轻。结论肝纤康对大鼠肝纤维化具有明显抑制作用,其机制可能与减轻肝细胞脂质过氧化损伤,减少细胞外基质在肝组织沉积有关。     

Protective effect of Lygodium flexuosum (L.) Sw. extract against carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver injury in rats

The hepatoprotective potential of Lygodium flexuosum (L.) Sw. was evaluated in male Wistar rats against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in preventive and curative models. Toxic control and n-hexane extract-treated rats received a single dose of CCl4 (150 microL/100g, 1:1 in corn oil). Pre-treated rats were given n-hexane extracts at 200 and 100 mg/kg dose 48, 24 and 2 h prior to CCl4 administration. In post-treatment groups, rats were treated with n-hexane extract at a dose of 200 and 100 mg/kg, 2, 24 and 48 h after CCl4 intoxication. Rats pre-treated with Lygodium flexuosum remarkably prevented the elevation of serum AST, ALT, LDH and liver lipid peroxides in CCl4-treated rats. Rats treated with the extract after the establishment of CCl4 induced liver injury showed significant (p < or = 0.05) protection of liver as evidenced from normal AST, ALT, LDH and MDA levels. Hepatic glutathione levels were significantly (p < or = 0.05) increased by the treatment with the extracts in both the experimental groups. Histopathological changes induced by CCl4 were also significantly (p < or = 0.05) reduced by the extract treatment in preventive and curative groups. Phytochemical studies revealed the presence of saponins, triterpenes, sterols and bitter principles in Lygodium flexuosumn-hexane extract which could be responsible for the possible hepatoprotective action.     

大黄素对大鼠肝纤维化形成的影响

目的；研究大黄素对肝纤维化的影响。方法：采用４０％的四氯化碳（ＣＣｌ４）给予大鼠皮下注射诱导肝纤维化，并以小，中和大剂量大黄素（２０，４０和８０ｍｇ／ｋｇ体重）干预，测定血清透明质酸，层粘连蛋白及肝组织羟脯氨酸，并通过光镜和电镜观察肝组织病理变化。结果：大黄素组较模型组；（１）血清透明质酸及层粘连蛋白显著降低；（２）肝组织胶原蛋白含量明显减少；（３）肝组织纤维化程度明显改善；（４）肝细胞损伤减轻。     

化痰行瘀汤对肝纤维化大鼠肝脏超微结构的影响

目的:观察化痰行瘀汤对肝纤维化大鼠肝脏超微结构的影响。方法:60只Wistar大鼠随机分为正常对照组、模型对照组、化痰行瘀汤低、中、高剂量组、复方鳖甲软肝片组6组,每组10只。采用皮下注射四氯化碳(CCl4)橄榄油溶液复制肝纤维化模型,采用透射电镜和扫描电镜观察各组大鼠肝脏的超微结构改变。结果:与模型对照组比较,化痰行瘀汤中、高剂量组大鼠肝细胞、库普弗细胞(KC)、星状细胞(HSC)、内皮细胞超微结构得到明显改善。结论:化痰行瘀汤能减少肝细胞损伤,阻断胶原纤维的生成,而达到抗肝纤维化的目的。     

针刺对四氯化碳致肝纤维化大鼠肝脏中细胞外基质生成的抑制作用

目的:观察针刺治疗对四氯化碳致大鼠实验性肝纤维化的改善作用以及对纤维化肝脏中细胞外基质主要成分表达的影响。方法:将46只大鼠随机分为正常组(10只)、模型组(12只)、非穴组(12只)、穴位组(12只)。采用50%CCl4橄榄油溶液腹腔注射进行肝纤维化造模,同时针刺穴位组大鼠的"太冲"期门"肝俞"并电针"足三里"进行治疗。非穴组取穴为上述各穴左侧平移0.5cm处。造模和治疗6周后,颈总动脉取血用酶联免疫吸附法检测血清透明质酸(HA)、层黏连蛋白(LN)、Ⅲ型前胶原(PCⅢ)水平;然后处死大鼠,分离肝组织进行病理切片观察;并分离各组大鼠的肝星状细胞,以Western blot法检测α平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)、α1(Ⅰ)型胶原蛋白[α1(I)collagen]、纤连蛋白(fibronectin)、基质金属蛋白酶-9(MMP-9)及金属蛋白酶组织抑制剂-1(TIMP-1)的蛋白表达,以Real-time PCR法检测α-SMA、α1(I)collagen和fi-bronectin的mRNA表达。结果:与正常组相比,模型组大鼠各项肝纤维化血清指标(HA、LN、PCⅢ含量)均明显升高(P<0.01,P<0.05);与模型组相比,穴位组血清HA、LN水平显著下降(P<0.05),非穴组无明显降低。针刺穴位可以降低肝星状细胞中α-SMA、α1(I)collagen和fibronectin的蛋白与基因表达(P<0.01,P<0.05),并上调MMP-9的蛋白表达(P<0.05),而对TIMP-1无明显影响(P>0.05)。结论:针刺穴位能有效改善四氯化碳导致的大鼠肝纤维化损伤,减少肝星状细胞分泌细胞外基质,从而抑制肝纤维化。     

荆防挥发油对炎症相关因子表达和调节的影响

目的：研究荆防挥发油对炎症相关因子表达和调节的影响。方法：用OA和LPS2次打击,建立2次打击急性肺损伤(ALI)模型。荆防挥发油(45.19 μL·kg^-1)对大鼠ALI模型支气管上皮细胞间黏附分子CD54,肺组织核因子-κB(NF-κB)p65、支气管上皮细胞中NF-κB p65 mRNA的组织化学观察及统计。结果：荆防挥发油能明显抑制CD54的表达、NF-κB p65的活化及阻止NF-κB p65 mRNA的转录增加。结论：荆防挥发油抑制CD54的表达,减少p65蛋白的合成可能是其抗炎的分子机制之一。     

湖北海棠叶总黄酮抗CCl4所致大鼠肝纤维化作用研究

目的:研究湖北海棠叶总黄酮对四氯化碳(CCl4)所诱导的大鼠肝纤维化的影响,并探讨其可能的作用机制。方法:腹腔注射2ml/kg CCl4橄榄油溶液制备大鼠肝纤维化模型。首次注射后分别灌胃给药湖北海棠叶总黄酮120mg/kg和60mg/kg,每天一次,共8周。测定血清丙氨酸氨基转移酶、天冬氨酸氨基转移酶、透明质酸、羟脯氨酸、β1-转化生长因子以及肝组织中总抗氧化能力、丙二醛含量和总超氧化物歧化酶的活性;用免疫组化方法定量肝组织中α-平滑肌肌动蛋白的表达。结果:与模型组比较,湖北海棠叶总黄酮能够调低血清丙氨酸氨基转移酶、天冬氨酸氨基转移酶、透明质酸、羟脯氨酸、β1-转化生长因子含量,降低肝组织丙二醛含量,增加肝组织中总抗氧化能力和总超氧化物歧化酶活性,降低α-平滑肌肌动蛋白的表达;病理学切片显示湖北海棠叶总黄酮能明显减轻CCl4引起的大鼠肝损伤及纤维化程度。结论:湖北海棠叶总黄酮在实验的120mg/kg和60mg/kg两个剂量组对CCl4致大鼠肝纤维化都有防治作用,作用机制可能与其抗氧化作用有关,湖北海棠叶总黄酮能能增强组织抗氧化能力,降低CCl4引起的脂类过氧化,保护细胞膜免受损伤,抑制β1-转化生长因子等具有加重肝纤维化程度的生物因子的表达,减轻肝纤维化程度。     

Hepatoprotective activity of Emblica officinalis and Chyavanaprash

Hepatoprotective activity of Emblica officinalis (EO) and Chyavanaprash (CHY) extracts were studied using carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) induced liver injury model in rats. EO and CHY extracts were found to inhibit the hepatotoxicity produced by acute and chronic CCl(4) administration as seen from the decreased levels of serum and liver lipid peroxides (LPO), glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (GPT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Chronic CCl(4) administration was also found to produce liver fibrosis as seen from the increased levels of collagen-hydroxyproline and pathological analysis. EO and CHY extracts were found to reduce these elevated levels significantly, indicating that the extract could inhibit the induction of fibrosis in rats.