Hepatoprotective effect of Cichorium intybus L., a traditional Uighur medicine, against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the hepatoprotective effect of a Cichorium intybus L. extract (CIE) on CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats.


METHODS
Seventy-two male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into six groups of twelve rats each. The normal control group was allowed free access to food and water. Liver injury was performed in the remaining five groups with an i.p. injection of a 1.0 mL/kg CCl4 and olive oil (2:3 v/v) mixture, twice weekly for 8 weeks. All rats, with the exception of the injury model group, were intragastrically (i.g.,) administered quantum satis (q.s.) dosages [CIE group: 6, 18, and 54 mg/kg, respectively; Fu Fang Bie Jia Ruan Gan Pian (FFBJRGP) group: 780 mg/kg]. The oral administration of different drugs was performed on the day before CCl4 administration and subsequently once per day for 8 wk. The serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), hexadecenoic acid (HA), laminin (LN), hydroxyproline (Hyp), and glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the rat livers were measured. Histopathological changes in the liver were assessed for each group using HE staining and a Masson Trichrome examination. The expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was examined by immunohistochemical analysis.


RESULTS
CIE at oral doses of 6, 18, and 54 g/kg per day showed a significant hepatoprotective effect, especially at a dose of 54 g/kg per day. CIE doses reduced the levels of AST (149.04 ± 34.44, P < 0.01), ALT (100.72 ± 27.19, P < 0.01), HA (548.50 ± 65.09, P < 0.01), LN (28.69 ± 3.32, P < 0.01) and Hyp (263.33 ± 75.82, P < 0.01). With regards to hepatoprotective activity, the CIE dose of 54 g/kg per day produced the largest significant effect by increasing GSH (3.11 ± 0.81), SOD (269.98 ± 33.77, P < 0.01) and reducing MDA (2.76 ± 0.51, P < 0.01) levels in the liver. The expressions of TGF-β1 and α-SMA were measured by immunohistology and found to be significantly reduced by CIE in a dose-dependent manner.


CONCLUSIONS
CIE may effectively protect against CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats; thus, it is a promising anti-fibrotic therapeutic agent.
Guo-Yu Li, Jing-Kai Gu, Research Center for Drug Metabolism, College of Life Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, Jilin Province, China.
Guo-Yu
GY
Li
Guo-Yu Li, Jing-Kai Gu, Research Center for Drug Metabolism, College of Life Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, Jilin Province, China.
Hong-Ying
HY
Gao
Guo-Yu Li, Jing-Kai Gu, Research Center for Drug Metabolism, College of Life Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, Jilin Province, China.
Jian
J
Huang
Guo-Yu Li, Jing-Kai Gu, Research Center for Drug Metabolism, College of Life Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, Jilin Province, China.
Jin
J
Lu
Guo-Yu Li, Jing-Kai Gu, Research Center for Drug Metabolism, College of Life Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, Jilin Province, China.
Jing-Kai
JK
Gu
Guo-Yu Li, Jing-Kai Gu, Research Center for Drug Metabolism, College of Life Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, Jilin Province, China.
Jin-Hui
JH
Wang
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride; D018651:Cichorium intybus; D019610:Cytoprotection; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008106:Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013997:Time Factors
D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride
Carbon tetrachloride; Cichorium intybus L. extract; Hepatic fibrosis; Traditional Uighur medicine