A Chinese herbal medicine, Gexia-Zhuyu Tang (GZT), prevents dimethylnitrosamine-induced liver fibrosis through inhibition of hepatic stellate cells proliferation.

Abstract

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL EVIDENCE:

Gexia-Zhuyu Tang (GZT), also called Gexiazhuyu decoction (GXZYD), is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine for chronic liver diseases such as cirrhosis and liver fibrosis.

AIM OF THE STUDY:

In this study, we have investigated the affects of GZT on a rat model of dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced liver fibrosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

In this study, the protective effects of GZT on DMN-induced liver fibrosis were measured using a rat model. Following 5 weeks of DMN-treatment (8 mg/kg, i.p., given 3 consecutive days each week), oral administration of GZT at 1.8 g/kg daily via oral gavage for 2weeks beginning at week 13.

RESULTS:

Both body and liver weights were significantly decreased. The reductions in body and liver weights corresponded with increasing liver damage severity. Furthermore, GZT-treatment remarkably decreased the levels of serum GOT (glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase) and GPT (glutamic pyruvic transaminase), and the mRNA expression levels of collagen alpha-1(I) and alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) in DMN-induced hepatic fibrosis. In addition, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play a major role in various types of liver fibrosis through initial myofibroblast transformation. The proliferation of HSCs was inhibited by GZT. Treatment with GZT also induced HSC apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner. GZT treatment induced HSC apoptosis by facilitating Ca(2+) release from the mitochondria within 6h. Subsequently, caspases 3 and 12 were elevated by 72 h after treatment.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our studies indicate that GZT exhibited both hepatoprotective and antifibrogenic effects in DMN-induced hepatic injury. These findings suggest that GZT may be useful in preventing the development of hepatic fibrosis.

• Authors: Jiun-Yu Chen, Hsiao-Ling Chen, Ju-Chien Cheng, Hung-Jen Lin, Yu-Tang Tung, Chia-Fan Lin, Chuan-Mu Chen
• Journal: Journal of ethnopharmacology (J Ethnopharmacol) Vol. 142 Issue 3 Pg. 811-8 (Aug 01 2012) ISSN: 1872-7573 [Electronic] Ireland
• PMID: 22706148 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Actins
• Collagen Type I
• Collagen Type I, alpha 1 Chain
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal
• RNA, Messenger
• smooth muscle actin, rat
• Caspase 12
• Caspase 3
• Dimethylnitrosamine
• Calcium

Topics

• Actins (genetics)
• Animals
• Apoptosis (drug effects)
• Calcium (metabolism)
• Caspase 12 (metabolism)
• Caspase 3 (metabolism)
• Cell Line
• Cell Proliferation (drug effects)
• Collagen Type I (genetics)
• Collagen Type I, alpha 1 Chain
• Dimethylnitrosamine
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Hepatic Stellate Cells (cytology, drug effects)
• Humans
• Liver Cirrhosis (chemically induced, diagnostic imaging, prevention & control)
• Male
• Phytotherapy
• RNA, Messenger (metabolism)
• Rats
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley
• Ultrasonography