Emodin on hepatic fibrosis in rats.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate effect of emodin on hepatic fibrosis in rats.


METHODS
The rat hepatic fibrosis model was induced by the subcutaneous injection of 40% CCl4 (twice a week for 6 weeks) dissolved in olive oil. The emodin-treated 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) dissolved in 0.5% sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), except receiving CCl4. Control group received only olive oil and 0.5% CMC. Liver functions were determined by standard procedure. Serum hyaluronic acid and laminin were determined by radioimmunoassay. Liver hydroxyprolines were determined. Histopathological changes were examined by optical microscopy.


RESULTS
Compared with model group, the emodin-treated rats showed (1) liver functions were improved, alanine transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) were obviously reduced, and total protein (TP) and albumin (ALB) were significantly increased; (2) serum hyaluronic acid and laminin were markedly reduced; (3) liver hydroxyproline was significantly decreased; (4) the degrees of fibrosis were reduced. The changes of parameters mentioned above were significant (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Emodin has effect on hepatic fibrosis in rats. The hepatoprotective of emodin may be one of mechanisms for liver fibrosis.
Zhan
Y
Y
Department of Gastroenterology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Second Medical University, Shanghai 200092, China.
Li
D
D
Wei
H
H
Wang
Z
Z
Huang
X
X
Xu
Q
Q
Lu
H
H
D000818:Animals; D002252:Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning; D004642:Emodin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects; D008106:Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D004642:Emodin