[Effects of emodin on hepatic fibrosis in rats].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of emodin on hepatic fibrosis in rats and study its possible mechanism.


METHODS
The rat hepatic fibrotic model was induced by the subcutaneous injection of 40% CCl(4) (twice a week for 6 weeks). The fibrotic rats were treated with low-dose, mediate-dose and high-dose emodin (20, 40 and 80 mg/kg body weight, once a day for 42 days). Liver function, serum hyaluronic acid, laminin, and liver hydroxyproline were determined, Histopathological changes were examined by optical microscopy. The expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) in liver tissue were detected by immunohistochemical techniques.


RESULTS
Compared with model group, it revealed that in emodin-treated rats: (1) Liver functions was improved, alanine transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) obviously reduced (P<0.05 or <0.01), total protein (TP) and albumin (ALB) significantly increased (P<0.05 or <0.01). (2) Serum hyaluronic acid and laminin markedly reduced (P<0.05 or <0.01). (3) Liver hydroxyproline were significantly decreased (P<0.05 or <0.01). (4) The degrees of fibrosis were reduced (P<0.05). (5) The expression of alpha-SMA in liver tissue were ameliorated.


CONCLUSIONS
Emodin has an effect on hepatic fibrosis in rats. The effect may be related to slowing hepatocyte injury and inhibiting liver alpha-SMA expressions.
Zhan
Y
Y
Institute of Hepatology, People's Hospital. Peking University, Beijing 100044, China.
Wei
H
H
Wang
Z
Z
Huang
X
X
Xu
Q
Q
Li
D
D
Lu
H
H
D000199:Actins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004642:Emodin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000097:blood; D007797:Laminin / Q000097:blood; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D000199:Actins; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D007797:Laminin; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D004642:Emodin