Protective effect of morin on dimethylnitrosamine-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats.
Morin, a plant-derived flavonoid, has been reported to exhibit a wide range of pharmacological properties. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of morin on hepatic fibrosis induced by dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) in rats. Oral administration of morin remarkably prevented weight loss in the body and liver from DMN and inhibited the elevation of serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and total bilirubin levels. For the evaluation of hepatic fibrosis-related factors, we investigated expressions of collagen type I, transforming growth factor beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)), and alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) in mRNA and protein levels. We observed that morin significantly reduced the expression of collagen type I, TGF-beta(1), and alpha-SMA on hepatic fibrosis induced by DMN. Taken together, this study demonstrated that morin showed hepatoprotective and antifibrogenic effects against DMN-induced hepatic injury. This suggests that morin may be useful in preventing the development of hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis.
Lee
Hee-Seung
HS
School of Medicine, Inha University, 7-241, 3-ga, Sinheung-dong, Jung-gu, Incheon, 400-712, Korea.
Jung
Kyung Hee
KH
Park
In-Suh
IS
Kwon
Sung Won
SW
Lee
Don-Haeng
DH
Hong
Soon-Sun
SS
D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000378:metabolism; D004128:Dimethylnitrosamine; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D008517:Phytotherapy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000378:metabolism; D047309:Flavones
D000199:Actins; D000975:Antioxidants; D024042:Collagen Type I; D004128:Dimethylnitrosamine; D005419:Flavonoids; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; C498862:Acta2 protein, rat; C008548:morin; D047309:Flavones