Preliminary study on mechanism of therapeutic effect of Huganjiexian decoction on hepatic fibrosis

Abstract

To observe the effects of Huganjiexian decoction on rat hepatic fibrosis and the creation of cytokines. Rat hepatic fibrosis was induced by intraperitoneally injection of carbon tetrachloride. At the same time, these rats were treated with different dosages of Huganjiexian decoction. Sho-saiko-to compound treating group and Fufangbiejiarangan Tablets treating group were used as positive controls. After twelve weeks, all rats were executed. Histopathologic changes were observed after H.E and Masson stainings. The expression of collagen type I, collagen type III, TGF-beta 1 and PDGF-BB in liver were detected by immunohistochemical staining. Compared with fibrotic group, hepatic fibrosis in decoction groups was significantly improved. In decoction groups, levels of collagen type I, collagen type III, TGFbeta1 and PDGF-BB were decreased, especially in the low-dose curcumin group. The TGF-beta 1 positive percentage were 7.56%+/-2.18%, 29.25%+/-7.84%, 13.54%+/-4.15%, 21.82%+/-6.64%, 20.06%+/-7.14%, 13.78%+/-4.35%, 12.75%+/-3.98% in liver tissues from normal group, model group, low, middle, high curcumin, Sho-saiko-to compound and Fufangbiejiarangan Tablets treating groups respectively (P less than 0.05); while the PDGF-BB positive percentage were 1.68%+/-0.41%, 11.70%+/-2.28%, 3.65%+/-0.76%, 5.24%+/-1.04%, 6.37%+/-1.12%, 4.16%+/-0.61%, 3.38%+/-0.56% in liver tissues from those groups respectively (P less than 0.05). Huganjiexian decoction can improve rat hepatic fibrosis, possibly via inhibiting the expression of collagen type I, collagen type III, TGFbeta1 and PDGF-BB.