Abstract
Purpose: To explore the effects of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge.extract(SMBE) on diethylnitrosamine(DEN)- induced liver cirrhosis in rats. Methods: SMBE was obtained by extracting dried Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. in water. Liver cirrhosis was induced in Wistar rats by injecting diethylnitrosamine in abdominal cavity once a week for 8 weeks. Concurrently, rats received either daily oral SMBE (SMBE group) or saline (control group). Clinical biochemical assessments, oxidative stress tests (malondialdehyde [MDA], superoxide dismutase [SOD]) were performed at 4 and 8 weeks after beginning DEN. Results: Compared to the control group, both plasma alanine transaminase (ALT, 245.6 ± 8.5 U/L) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST, 205.7 ± 5.1 U/L) were significantly lower in SMBE group after 8 weeks (p < 0.01 for both ALT and AST). SMBE group exhibited significantly lower MDA (0.41 ± 0.04 μmol/L) levels and higher SOD(0.53 ± 0.05 U/mg protein) activity than control at 8 weeks after commencing DEN (p < 0.01 for both MDA and SOD). Conclusion: SMBE has significant ameliorative effect on DEN-induced liver cirrhosis in rats. Antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects of SMBE appear to be involved in these beneficial effects. Keywords: Salvia miltiorrhiza , Liver cirrhosis, Anti-oxidant, Anti-apoptotic, Diethylnitrosamine, Biochemical parameters
Highlights
Liver cirrhosis is a common pathological consequence of chronic liver disease, which is characterized by liver fibrosis, scar tissue and regenerative nodules, as well as leading to the destruction of the hepatic microstructure and liver dysfunction [1]
SMBE ameliorated this increase in alanine transaminase (ALT) and AST: at 4 weeks both the ALT and AST were significantly lower in the control group than in the normal group (p < 0.01)
After the 8th week of DEN injections, liver cirrhosis was present in both the model and SMBE groups
Summary
Liver cirrhosis is a common pathological consequence of chronic liver disease, which is characterized by liver fibrosis, scar tissue and regenerative nodules, as well as leading to the destruction of the hepatic microstructure and liver dysfunction [1].The structural changes include hepatic sinusoid capillarization, portal area and liver lobule fibrosis and alterations in microvascular structure. Liver fibrosis can progress into liver cirrhosis which causes further hepatocellular dysfunction and increases intrahepatic resistance to blood flow, leading to hepatic insufficiency and portal hypertension. As S. miltiorrhiza is used in traditional Chinese medicine to prevent liver cirrhosis[13], the current study was conducted to evaluate the anti-cirrhosis effects of the herb in rats. Effect of SMBE on hepatic MDA and SOD in liver cirrhosis
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