A traditional formula, Chunggan extract, attenuates thioacetamide-induced hepatofibrosis via GSH system in rats.
Chunggan extract (CGX) is a hepatotherapeutic herbal formula which has been traditionally used for patients suffering from various hepatic disorders. This study aimed to elucidate antifibrotic effect and mechanisms of CGX in thioacetamide (TAA) model. Hepatic fibrosis was induced in 45 Sprague-Dawley rats by TAA (200 mg kg(-1), intraperitoneally [ip]) on twice per week for 12 weeks. CGX (100 or 200 mg kg(-1), per oral [po]) was administrated once a day throughout the experiment. CGX treatment ameliorated serum biomarkers. CGX administration significantly attenuated distortion of histopathologic finding, and accumulation of hydroxyproline and malondialdehyde (MDA). CGX treatment significantly decreased transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) concentrations and inactivated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). CGX treatment drastically restored glutathione (GSH) system, while inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) significantly down-regulated in liver tissue. CGX showed antifibrotic effect in thioacetamide-induced chronic liver injury model. Its corresponding mechanisms may be mediated via anti-oxidative stress property sustaining GSH system and inhibition of ROS production.
Liver and Immunology Research Center, Daejeon Oriental Hospital of Daejeon University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
Kyeong-Gue
KG
Kwak
Jing-Hua
JH
Wang
Jang-Woo
JW
Shin
Dong-Soo
DS
Lee
Chang-Gue
CG
Son
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008106:Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D055670:Medicine, Korean Traditional; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013853:Thioacetamide / Q000494:pharmacology*
D015415:Biomarkers; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D013853:Thioacetamide; D005978:Glutathione