Effect of Different Solvent Extracts of Amygdalus mongolica on Liver Fibrosis Rat Models Induced by Carbon Tetrachloride and Its Mechanisms

Abstract

To investigate the effects and possible mechanisms of different polarity positions of Amygdalus mongolica on carbon tetrachloride to hepatic fibrosis rats. Male SD rats were divided into 7 groups with 10 in each group. The rats were divided into model group, silymarin group (0.05 g/kg), positive drug group and Amygdalus mongolica petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and aqueous extract group. The rats in the same group were not given carbon tetrachloride as normal control group. After 8 weeks of treatment, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), type Ⅲ collagen (PC-Ⅲ) and type Ⅳ collagen (Col-Ⅳ) content were measureed, and the liver index and spleen index were calculated; The contents of MDA, SOD and Hydroxyproline(HYP) and the expressions of transforming growth factor β1 protein (TGF-β1), mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3 (Smad3) and Smad7 mRNA in liver tissues were also measured. Compared with the model group, the body mass of the rats in various polar parts of Amygdalus mongolica significantly increased (P<0.05), MDA in serum and tissues significantly decreased (P<0.05), SOD in serum significantly increased (P<0.05), and liver index of the rats in petroleum ether and water parts significantly decreased (P<0.05). The results of pathological examination showed that the liver fibrosis of the rats in each part of the drug group was significantly improved. Amygdalus mongolica petroleum ether part and n-butanol part could significantly decrease in the serum AST, ALP, HA, PC-Ⅲ content (P<0.05), HYP, TGF-β1 and Smad3 levels in the organization (P<0.05). The n-butanol position of Amygdalus mongolica could significantly reduce the serum ALT level (P<0.05). Amygdalus mongolica herbs petroleum ether, n-butanol extract has improved markedly effect to liver fibrosis, which is the preferred active site for protection of liver fibrosis and its mechanism may be through adjusting abnormal collagen synthesis and TGF-β1 / Smad signaling pathways to work.