title: Inhibitory effect of Solanum nigrum on thioacetamide-induced liver fibrosis in mice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Solanum nigrum (Solanaceae) has been used in traditional folk medicine for its hepatoprotective agent. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Solanum nigrum extract (SNE) on thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver fibrosis in mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hepatic fibrosis was produced by TAA (0.2 g/kg, i.p.) three times a week for 12 weeks. Mice in the three TAA groups were treated daily with distilled water and SNE (0.2 or 1.0 g/kg) via gastrogavage throughout the experimental period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  SNE reduced the hepatic hydroxyproline and alpha-smooth muscle actin protein levels of TAA-treated mice. SNE inhibited TAA-induced collagene (alpha1)(I) and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) mRNA levels in the liver. Histological examination also confirmed that SNE reduced the degree of fibrosis caused by TAA treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oral administration of SNE significantly reduces TAA-induced hepatic fibrosis in mice, probably through the reduction of TGF-beta1 secretion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chang-Chi
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.forename: Hsun-Lang
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Wen-Chuan
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Lina
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006909:Hydroxyproline / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D032324:Solanum nigrum / Q000737:chemistry*; D013853:Thioacetamide / Q000633:toxicity; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D024042:Collagen Type I; D010936:Plant Extracts; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D013853:Thioacetamide; D006909:Hydroxyproline