Scutellaria baicalensis inhibits liver fibrosis induced by bile duct ligation or carbon tetrachloride in rats.
This study was carried out to investigate the antifibrotic effects of methanol extracts from the traditional Chinese medicinal herb, the root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, on liver fibrosis induced by bile duct ligation and scission (BDL) or carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats. Liver fibrosis was assessed by histological observations and by measuring levels of liver hydroxyproline, lipid peroxidation based on malondialdehyde (MDA) production, and serum enzyme activities. The morphological characteristics of livertissuewere examined by Masson'strichrome staining and immunostaining against smooth muscle cell alpha-actin. In both models, the levels of hydroxyproline and MDA in liver were significantly increased. Treatment with a methanol extract of S. baicalensis significantly reduced the levels of liver hydroxyproline and MDA, with improved histological findings. In both models, the liver areas positive for smooth muscle cell alpha-actin were considerably decreased by treatment with oral methanol extract of S. baicalensis (150 mg kg(-1) daily for 28 days). A methanol extract of S. baicalensis root inhibits fibrosis and lipid peroxidation in rat liver induced by BDL or CCl4.
Nan
Ji-Xing
JX
Department of Pharmacy, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Cheonbuk, South Korea.
Park
Eun-Jeon
EJ
Kim
Yoon-Chul
YC
Ko
Geonil
G
Sohn
Dong Hwan
DH
D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride / Q000009:adverse effects; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D006909:Hydroxyproline / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019686:Lamiaceae; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008106:Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000378:metabolism
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D010936:Plant Extracts; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D006909:Hydroxyproline