Inhibitory effect of Huangqi Zhechong decoction on liver fibrosis in rat.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the inhibitory effect of Huangqi Zhechong decoction on hepatic fibrosis in rats induced by CCl(4) plus alcohol and high fat low protein diet.


METHODS
Male SD rats were randomly divided into hepatic fibrosis model group, control group and 3 treatment groups consisting of 12 rats in each group. Except for the normal control group, all the rats were subcutaneously injected with CCl(4) at a dosage of 3 mL/kg. In 3 treated groups, either high-dose group (9 mL/kg), or medium-dose group (6 mL/kg), or low-dose group (3 mL/kg) was daily gavaged with Huangqi Zhechong decoction, and saline vehicle was given to model and normal control rats. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and biochemical examinations were used to determine the changes of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), type-III-procollagen-N-peptide (PIIIP), and type IV collagen content in serum, and hydroxyproline (Hyp) content in liver after sacrificing the rats. Pathologic changes, particularly fibrosis were examined by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Van Gieson staining.


RESULTS
Compared with the model control group, serum ALT, AST, HA, LN, PIIIP and type IV collagen levels dropped markedly in Huangqi Zhechong decoction groups, especially in the medium-dose Huangqi Zhechong decoction group (1 954+/-576 U/L vs 759+/-380 U/L, 2 735+/-786 U/L vs 1 259+/-829 U/L, 42.74+/-7.04 ng/mL vs 20.68+/-5.85 ng/mL, 31.62+/-5.84 ng/mL vs 14.87+/-1.45 ng/mL, 3.26+/-0.69 ng/mL vs 1.47+/-0.46 ng/mL, 77.68+/-20.23 ng/mL vs 25.64+/-4.68 ng/mL, respectively) (P<0.05). The Hyp content in liver tissue was also markedly decreased (26.47+/-11.24 mg/mgprot vs 9.89+/-3.74 mg/mgprot) (P<0.01). Moreover, the stage of the rat liver fibrosis in Huangqi Zhechong decoction groups was lower than that in model group, and more dramatic drop was observed in medium-dose Huangqi Zhechong decoction group (P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Huangqi Zhechong decoction can inhibit hepatic fibrosis resulted from chronic liver injure, retard the development of cirrhosis, and notably ameliorate the liver function. It may be a safe and effective therapeutic drug for patients with fibrosis.
Dang
Shuang-Suo
SS
Department of Infectious Disease, Second Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710004, Shaanxi Province, China. shuangsuo640212@sohu.com
Jia
Xiao-Li
XL
Cheng
Yan-An
YA
Chen
Yun-Ru
YR
Liu
En-Qi
EQ
Li
Zong-Fang
ZF
D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase