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.     

博落回提取物对实验性肝纤维化的防治作用

目的:观察博落回提取物(Macleaya cordata extract,MCE)对实验性肝纤维化的防治作用.方法:采用CCl4复合因素诱导的大鼠肝纤维化和小鼠血吸虫肝纤维化2种模型,观测MCE干预后肝指数、肝功能生化指标[丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT)、天冬氨酸转氨酶(AST)]、血清纤维化指标[Ⅲ型前胶原( PCⅢ)、层黏连蛋白(LN)、透明质酸(HA))、脂质过氧化指标[谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)、丙二醛(MDA)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)),肝组织Ⅰ型胶原(CoⅠ)、Ⅲ型胶原(CoⅢ)及羟脯氨酸(Hyp)表达的变化,并做肝脏病理学检查.结果:在CCl4肝纤维化大鼠模型中,MCE各剂量预防组肝指数,AST含量及CoⅠ表达明显降低,高剂量预防组LN及CoⅢ表达明显降低;中剂量预防组MDA含量及CoⅢ表达明显降低;MCE治疗组肝指数、HA,MDA含量及CoⅢ表达明显降低;经MCE防治后大鼠肝纤维化程度有不同程度减轻.在小鼠血吸虫肝纤维化模型中,MCE预防组小鼠Hyp及Co Ⅰ表达明显降低;高剂量治疗组小鼠肝指数、PCⅢ,LN,HA,AST,ALT含量及Co Ⅰ表达显著降低,中剂量治疗组PCⅢ,HA,AST,ALT含量明显降低;MCE治疗给药能明显改善模型小鼠肝脏病变.结论:MCE对实验性肝纤维化有一定的防治作用,其机制可能与其保护肝细胞膜、减轻肝脏炎症及抗脂质过氧化作用有关.     

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.     

Therapeutic effects and molecular mechanisms of Ginkgo biloba extract on liver fibrosis in rats

Oxidative stress can be implicated as a cause of liver fibrosis. In this sense, Ginkgo Biloba Extract (EGB), an antioxidant, may be beneficial in restraining liver fibrosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of EGB on experimental liver fibrosis. Rat liver fibrosis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) twice a week for 8 weeks. Three groups of rats received EGB (0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 g/kg, respectively) by stomach everyday. CCl4 administration induced liver fibrosis, which was inhibited by EGB in a dose-dependent manner. The histopathologic score of fibrosis, liver function and the levels of plasma hyaluronic acid (HA) and laminin (LN) were significantly improved in rats treated with CCl4 + EGB, compared with those treated with CCl4 only (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05). The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were notably elevated, while malondialdehyde (MDA) content was significantly decreased in the rats treated with CCl4 + EGB (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05). Inhibition of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and nuclear factor kappaBP65 (NF-kappaBP65) expression was demonstrated in the livers of EGB-treated rats. The activation of NF-kappaB was significantly suppressed in EGB-treated rats determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Furthermore, EGB reduced expressions of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and collagen I mRNA. In conclusion, EGB is able to ameliorate liver injury and prevent rats from CCl4-induced liver fibrosis by suppressing oxidative stress. This process may be related to inhibiting the induction of NF-kappaB on HSC activation and the expression of TGF-beta1.     

Protective effects of astragaloside IV on porcine-serum-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats and in vitro effects on hepatic stellate cells

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Astragaloside IV is the primary pure saponin isolated from Astragalus membranaceus, one of the valuable traditional medical herbs. Antifibrotic activities of Astragalus membranaceus have been extensively proved.

Aim of the study

To investigate the effects of astragaloside IV on hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and hepatic fibrosis in rats induced by porcine-serum (PS).

Materials and methods

Liver fibrosis was induced by PS injection (0.5 ml, twice a week) for 12 weeks. Astragaloside IV (2.0, 4.0 mg kg⁻¹) was administered intragastrically. Liver samples were subjected to histological and immunohistochemical studies. In vitro effects of astragaloside IV on primary cultured HSCs were detected by incorporation assays.

Results

Astragaloside IV delayed the formation of liver fibrosis and decrease the serum levels of hyaluronic acid (HA), procollagen type III (PCIII) and hydroxyproline (Hyp) content in liver. The levels of transforming growth factor-β₁ (TGF-β₁) in serum and expression in liver were significantly decreased by astragaloside IV. Collagen synthesis and proliferation were significantly inhibited by astragaloside IV (1.5, 3.0, 6.0, 12.0 and 24.0 mg L⁻¹) in HSCs.

Conclusion

The results showed that astragaloside IV displays antifibrotic effects in rats induced by PS, the mechanism by which might be associated with its inhibitory effects on collagen synthesis and proliferation in HSCs.     

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.     

Effect of Ganoderma tsugae on chronically carbon tetrachloride-intoxicated rats

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective and anti-fibrotic actions of crude extracts of Ganoderma tsugae (GTE) on chronic liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats. CCl4 (20%, 0.5 ml/rat) was given twice a week for 8 weeks, and animals received GTE through the whole experimental period. GTE showed obvious reducing actions on the elevated levels of glutamate-oxalate-transaminase (GOT) and glutamate-pyruvate-transaminase (GPT) caused by CCl4 at weeks 3, 6 and 8. Liver fibrosis in rats induced by CCl4 led to the drop of serum albumin and hepatic protein concentrations, while GTE increased serum albumin and hepatic protein concentrations. The CCl4-induced liver fibrosis may prolong the prothrombine time and increase albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio. GTE significantly decreased the prothrombine time and A/G ratio. Liver fibrosis induced by CCl4 markedly increased the weight of the spleen, hepatic water and hydroxyproline contents in rats, while GTE decreased the rat's spleen weights, hepatic water and hydroxyproline contents. All these results clearly demonstrated that GTE has hepatoprotective and anti-fibrotic activities.     

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.     

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。     

Antioxidant effect of Cytisus scoparius against carbon tetrachloride treated liver injury in rats

The study was aimed to investigate the antioxidant activity of Cytisus scoparius L. (Family: Leguminosae) on CCl(4) (carbon tetrachloride) treated oxidative stress in Wistar albino rats. CCl(4) injection induced oxidative stress by a significant rise in serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminases (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminases (SGPT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) along with reduction of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-s-transferase (GST) and glutathione reductase (GRD). Pretreatment of rats with different doses of plant extract (250 and 500mg/kg) significantly lowered SGOT, SGPT, LDH and TBARS levels against CCl(4) treated rats. GSH and hepatic enzymes like SOD, CAT, GPx, GRD, and GST were significantly increased by treatment with the plant extract, against CCl(4) treated rats. The activity of extract at the dose of 500mg/kg was comparable to the standard drug, silymarin (25mg/kg). Based on these results, it was observed that Cytisus scoparius extract protects liver from oxidative stress induced by CCl(4) in rats and thus helps in evaluation of the traditional claim on this plant.     

粗叶悬钩子总生物碱抑制肝细胞凋亡的超微结构与TUNEL染色观察

目的:研究粗叶悬钩子总生物碱对肝细胞凋亡及肝细胞超微结构的影响.方法:60只大鼠随机分为正常组、模型组、粗叶悬钩子总生物碱处理组和阳性药对照组.采用CCl4腹腔内注射建立肝损伤大鼠模型.应用TUNEL检测各组肝组织的凋亡指数,电镜观察肝细胞超微结构.结果:粗叶悬钩子总生物碱处理组与阳性药对照组的大鼠肝细胞超微结构损伤程度、肝组织中凋亡指数,均分别较模型组显著减轻与下降.结论:粗叶恳钩子总生物碱能明显减轻肝细胞超微结构损伤,抑制肝组织中细胞凋亡.     

玉米须醇提物对肝纤维化大鼠药效学研究

目的:观察玉米须(stigma maydis or com si]k)醇提取物对实验性肝纤维化大鼠的治疗效果,并探讨其作用机制.方法:用四氯化碳( CCl4)诱导大鼠肝纤维化模型(皮下注射为8周,腹腔注射为4周),将实验动物随机分为正常对照组(A)、模型组(B)、秋水仙碱组(C,0.2 mg·kg -1·d-1)、玉米须醇提取物组(D,5.4g·kg-1·d-1).除正常对照组外,其余3组均用四氯化碳(sc,每次3 mL·kg-1,2次/周)诱发肝纤维化.各组于造模第8周末处死动物,分别用放射免疫法检测血清层黏连蛋白(LN),m型前胶原( PCⅢ),透明质酸(HA)及Ⅳ型胶原(CⅣ);RT-PCR检测肝组织Smad3 mRNA的表达;作HE染色和胶原纤维特殊染色行肝组织病理形态学观察及电镜观察治疗前后大鼠肝脏的超微结构.结果:模型组与正常组比较,大鼠血清中LN(207.6±27.4)μg·L-1,PCⅢ(280.1±3.2) μg· L-1,HA(357.0±14.1) μg·L-1,CⅣ(180.0±7.0) μg·L-1,大鼠肝组织内Smad,mRNA(0.865±0.084)水平明显升高(P＜0.01),经玉米须醇提取物治疗8周,大鼠血清中LN(162.4±2.2) μg·L-1,PCⅢ(193.2±1.8)μg·L-1,HA(219.4±3.7) μg· L-1,CⅣ( 138.0±2.5)μg·L-1水平明显降低(P＜0.01);大鼠肝组织内Smad3 mRNA(0.410±0.026)表达明显下降(P＜0.01);大鼠肝组织病理学检测改善显著.结论:玉米须能有效地抑制肝纤维化的发展,其机制可能是通过下调肝组织内Smad,mRNA表达,降低ECM的分泌而达到的.     

杠板归抗二甲基亚硝胺诱导大鼠肝纤维化的作用及其机制研究

目的:研究杠板归对二甲基亚硝胺(DMN)诱导的大鼠肝纤维化的作用及其机制.方法:80只SD大鼠随机分为正常组、模型组、杠板归高、中、低剂量组和秋水仙碱组共6组.除正常对照组以外,其余各组大鼠均以0.5％ DMN溶液(1.6mL·kg-1)腹腔注射,每周连续3天,每天1次,第1周用2/3剂量,以后用全量.秋水仙碱组剂量为0.1 mg·kg-1,杠板归高、中、低剂量组分别为7.5,5.0,2.5 g·kg-1,各组给药1次/d,连续4周.4周末摘大鼠眼球取血,酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)检测血清透明质酸(HA)、层黏连蛋白(LN)、Ⅲ型前胶原(PCⅢ)、Ⅳ型胶原(Ⅳ-C);苏木精-伊红染色(HE染色)观察肝纤维化(HF)的形成;免疫组化检测转化生长因子β1(TGF-β1).结果:与模型组比较,杠板归高、中剂量组大鼠血清HA,LN,PCⅢ,Ⅳ-C水平均显著低于模型组(P ＜0.05或P＜0.01),免疫组织化学显示杠板归高、中剂量组中大鼠肝脏TGF-β1表达明显降低(P ＜0.05或P＜0.01),低剂量无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论:杠板归对二甲基亚硝胺诱导的大鼠肝纤维化具有较好的作用,作用机制可能与杠板归通过保肝、降低TGF-β1表达,从而抑制肝纤维化的启动.     

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.     

抗纤Ⅰ号复方药物血清对肝星状细胞内钙离子浓度的影响

目的:研究抗纤Ⅰ号方药防治肝纤维化的分子机制,并探讨该药预防、治疗门脉高压的可行性.方法:制备大鼠含抗纤Ⅰ号药物血清,分别用药物血清和四氯化碳(CCl4)处理大鼠肝星状细胞(HSCs),作用24h后,以Fluo-3AM为细胞内Ca2 荧光指示剂负载细胞,通过激光共聚焦显微镜观察细胞内Ca2 的变化.采用正交设计方法,研究不同浓度CCl4、抗纤Ⅰ号方药物血清及其作用的先后顺序和二者作用的时间间隔对肝星状细胞内Ca2 浓度的影响.结果:不同浓度抗纤Ⅰ号方药物血清、CCl4及其作用的前后顺序对细胞内Ca2 浓度有显著影响,两因素作用的时间间隔对结果影响无显著性.CCl4在5mmol/L～15mmol/L范围内显著增加HSC内Ca2 浓度,5%～20%抗纤Ⅰ号方药物血清明显降低Ca2 浓度.结论:抗纤Ⅰ号方药物具有防治肝纤维化和门脉高压作用,其机理可能与其缓解细胞内钙超载有关.     

益气、活血中药配伍对正常、“血瘀”大鼠血小板聚集及体外血栓形成的影响

本实验结果表明，益气药香附、活血药川芎、赤芍与黄芪、归尾配伍能明显抑制正常及“血瘀”大鼠血小板聚集及体外血栓的形成。对于凝血酶诱导的正常及“血”大鼠血小板聚集，益气药与活血药配伍呈现出明显的协同效应。为中医”气血相关”理论提供了一定的实验依据。     

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