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.
Liu
Shi-Quan
SQ
Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China.
Yu
Jie-Ping
JP
Chen
Hong-Lei
HL
Luo
He-Sheng
HS
Chen
Shi-Ming
SM
Yu
Hong-Gang
HG
D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000078842:Cytoglobin; D020441:Ginkgo biloba; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000097:blood; D007797:Laminin / Q000097:blood; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D010544:Peroxidases / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1
D024042:Collagen Type I; C000627268:Cygb protein, rat; D000078842:Cytoglobin; D007797:Laminin; D016328:NF-kappa B; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C508962:Tgfb1 protein, rat; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D010544:Peroxidases; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase