Efficacy of Chinese medicine Yi-gan-kang granule in prophylaxis and treatment of liver fibrosis in rats.

Abstract

AIM:

To investigate the efficacy of a Chinese medicine, Yi-gan-kang granule (granules for benefiting the liver), in prophylaxis and treatment of liver fibrosis in rats and its possible mechanism.

METHODS:

One hundred and forty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into seven groups (20 each): group 1, blank control group without any interference during the study; group 2, CCl4-induced liver fibrosis group; group 3, pig serum-induced liver fibrosis group; group 4, prophylaxis group of CCl4-induced liver fibrosis by Yi-gan-kang; group 5, prophylaxis group of pig serum-induced liver fibrosis by Yi-gan-kang; group 6, treatment group of CCl4-induced liver fibrosis by Yi-gan-kang; group 7, treatment group of CCl4-induced liver fibrosis by Yi-gan-kang. At wk 6, 10, 14 and 20 (baseline for CCl4 or big serum induction), five rats in each group were anesthetized and their livers were removed for pathological studies including immunohistochemical studies for alpha-SMA, type I collagen and in situ hybridization of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) mRNA of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Anti-lipid peroxidation in isolated mitochondria and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric assay for proliferation and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-medicated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling (TUNEL), flow cytometry and electron microscopy for apoptosis in isolated HSCs were also studied.

RESULTS:

The mean number of pseudolobuli at wk 10, 14 and 20 in the prophylaxis group was significantly less than that in the control group (P<0.05 or 0.01). The effect of prophylaxis at wk 14 in CCl4 rats and at wk 10 in pig serum-induced rats was much better than that of treatment group (P<0.01). The thickness (in microm) of fibers both in pig serum-induced prophylaxis and in treatment groups at wk 14 and 20 was significantly less than that in control group (P<0.05). The number of fibers both in prophylaxis and in treatment groups from wk 10 or 14 to 20 was significantly less than that in control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The tissue HSC positive rates of type I collagen, alpha-SMA and TIMP-1 mRNA, which represented the active phenotype of HSCs in tissues, remained very high from wk 6 to the end of model making in control group. While in prophylaxis group, they were at a relatively low level. In treatment group, there was a gradual decreasing trend. Time- and dose-dependent effects of anti-lipid peroxidation on isolated mitochondria, cell proliferation and apoptosis in cultured HSCs were also observed during the study.

CONCLUSION:

Yi-gan-kang can effectively inhibit or inverse the course of liver fibrogenesis in CCl4- and pig serum-induced rat models.

• Authors: Xi-Xian Yao, Shu-Lin Jiang, You-Wei Tang, Dong-Mei Yao, Xin Yao
• Journal: World journal of gastroenterology (World J Gastroenterol) Vol. 11 Issue 17 Pg. 2583-90 (May 07 2005) ISSN: 1007-9327 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15849816 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Drugs, Chinese Herbal
• Carbon Tetrachloride

Topics

• Animals
• Carbon Tetrachloride
• Cells, Cultured
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal (pharmacology)
• Hepatocytes (drug effects, metabolism, ultrastructure)
• Lipid Peroxidation (drug effects)
• Liver Cirrhosis (chemically induced, drug therapy, prevention & control)
• Male
• Microscopy, Electron
• Rats
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley