The accumulation of hydrophilic
bile acids in the liver is considered to play a pivotal role in the induction of hepatic injury.
Yin-Chen-Hao-Tang (YCHT) decoction is an aqueous extract from three different herbs: Artemisia capillaries Thunb (Compositae), Gardenia jasminoides Ellis (Rubiaceae), Rheum officinale Baill (Polygonaceae), which has been recognized as a hepatoprotective agent for various types of
liver diseases. Therefore, we used an experimental of
biliary atresia model to test that YCHT plays a regulatory role in the pathogenesis of hepatic
fibrosis. Hepatic damage with
fibrosis was produced by common bile duct
ligation (BDL) for 27 days in experimental
cholestasis animal model. After surgery, YCHT (250 and 500mg/kg BW)
oral administration once a day continued for 27 days. BDL caused a prominent liver
collagen deposition that was supported by the increased alpha-SMA
protein and
mRNA expression of
procollagen I. YCHT significantly decreased hepatic alpha-SMA
protein levels and decreased in
hydroxyproline and
thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (
TBARS) levels of BDL rats. On the other hand, the normalizing effect of YCHT (250mg/kg) on the TGF-beta1mRNA expression was independent on the dose of YCHT, 500mg/kg was not effectively changed the quantitative composition of
mRNA levels. The study shows that hepatic
hydroxyproline accumulation caused by hydrophilic
bile acids accompanied by elevated hepatic lipid peroxidation, and hepatic
collagen levels can be decreased in the presence of YCHT. In conclusion, long-term administration of YCHT in rats ameliorated the hydropholic
bile acids induced hepatic injury that probably related to a reduced
oxidant stress and degree of hepatic
fibrosis.