Upregulation of TNF-α mRNA in hepatic fibrosis rats induced by dimethylnitrosamine

Signaling pathways involved in p38-ERK and inflammatory factors mediated the anti-fibrosis effect of AD-2 on thioacetamide-induced liver injury in mice

Ginseng is a type of medicinal and edible homologous plant that is very common in medicine, food and even cosmetics.

Therapeutic effects of Lanyuzan granules on hepatic fibrosis in rats

AIM: To explore the curative effects of Lanyuzan granules on hepatic fibrosis in dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced SD rat model and its mechanism.

METHODS: Forty-five female SD rats were randomly divided into six groups: a control group (n = 5), a model group (n = 8), three treatment groups with different dosage of Lanyuzan granules (n = 8), and a positive control group (n = 8). In the following 30 days, an intraperitoneal injection of dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) 10 mg/kg was performed in five groups every three days, except in the control group. On the thirty-first day, the five indexes of hepatic function, serum concentrations of ALT, AST and ALB, the expressions of a-smooth muscle actin (a-SMA) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) were measured. Moreover, pathological changes were observed on liver tissue with HE staining.

RESULTS: In liver fibrosis model group, serum concentrations of ALT and AST were significantly higher and concentration of ALB was significantly lower (P < 0.05), while significant increase in a-SMA expression and significant decrease in MMP-2 expression were observed compared with the normal group (182.042 ± 0.658 vs 60.879 ± 0.987; 145.612 ± 4.66 vs 74.824 ± 9.004; 16.078 ± 0.633 vs 28.971 ± 0.443; 161.667 ± 26.766 vs 80.167 ± 10.135; 5.994 ± 1.360 vs 8.270 ± 0.289, all P < 0.05). Decreased ALT and AST serum concentrations, significantly increased ALB concentration, lowered a-SMA expression and elevated MMP-2 expression in liver tissue, were observed in Lanyuzan granules treatment group compared with model control group (87.856 ± 8.526, 106.69 ± 0.987, 136.11 ± 0.329 vs 182.042 ± 0.658; 94.208 ± 2.017, 107.602 ± 20.014, 118.847 ± 5.486 vs 145.612 ± 4.66; 23.412 ± 0.775, 19.653 ± 0.775, 18.635 ± 0.221 vs 16.078 ± 0.633; 109.958 ± 3.607, 117.833 ± 6.600, 119.833 ± 6.167 vs 161.667 ± 26.766; 11.610 ± 0.523, 10.367 ± 0.714 vs 5.994 ± 1.360, all P < 0.05). No notable difference was observed between low dosage group and model control group. The pathological observation showed hepatic fibrosis was alleviated markedly.

CONCLUSION: Lanyuzan granules may play a part in the alleviation of inflammation and the protection of liver by markedly relieving and inhibiting the formation of hepatic fibrosis induced by dimethylnitrosamine.