Effects of CTHepaB, a Traditional Vietnamese Medicinal Formulation, on the Treatment of Cirrhosis in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Objectives: CTHepaB is a traditional Vietnamese medicinal formulation used to prevent liver disorders. This study sought to evaluate the effects of CTHepaB for the treatment of cirrhosis, induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) combined with alcohol, high-fat, and iron diet in Wistar rats, in vivo. Materials and Methods: Cirrhosis in Wistar rats was induced by the subcutaneous injection of CC14 (5.0 ml/kg), once per week for 10 weeks. Rats were then fed with a diet containing 20% fat, 0.05% cholesterol, and iron oxalate. Rats were provided with plain water each day and were provided with water mixed with 30% ethanol on 1 day. The rats were randomly divided into 5 groups and given distilled water, CC14, silymarin (70 mg/kg/24 h), or CTHepaB (at 0.56 and 1.12 g/kg/24 h) for 4 weeks, after which blood samples were collected for biochemical tests and the livers were dissected to evaluate weight and morphology and 4-hydroxyproline was quantified to evaluate fibrosis and collagen accumulation. Results: In cirrhotic Wistar rats, CTHepaB, at both 0.56 and 1.12 g/kg/24 h, reduced the activity of the enzymes aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) in the blood (p < 0.01), increased plasma albumin levels and decreased prothrombin times (p < 0.05). CTHepaB treatment also improved the rats’ physical conditions, decreased hydroxyproline concentrations in the liver, and reduced the level of cirrhosis, as assessed on Masson’s trichrome-stained templates. The effects of CTHepaB were dose-dependent manner, equivalent to silymarin at the dose of 70 mg/kg/24 h. Conclusion: CTHepaB was effective for the treatment of a cirrhosis model in Wistar rats.