Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a pathological process with intrahepatic diffused deposition of the excess extracellular matrix, which leads to various chronic liver diseases. Drugs with high efficacy and low toxicity for liver fibrosis are still unavailable. Antrodia camphorata has antioxidant, antivirus, antitumor and anti-inflammation roles, and has been used to treat liver diseases in the population. However, the hepatoprotective effects of A. camphorata spores and the mechanisms behind it have not been investigated. In this study, we evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of spore powder of A. camphorata (SP, 100 mg/kg/day or 200 mg/kg/day) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis in mice. SP groups reduced serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities compared with the CCl4 group. SP also showed a decrease in hydroxyproline (Hyp) content in liver tissues. SP improved cell damage and reduced collagen deposition by H&E, Sirius red and Masson staining. Furthermore, SP down-regulated the mRNA levels of α-SMA and Col 1, and the protein expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen I (Col 1), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) and nuclear factor-Κb (NF-κB) p65. In summary, SP has an ameliorative effect on hepatic fibrosis, probably by inhibiting the activation of hepatic stellate cells, reducing the synthesis of extracellular matrix.
Highlights
Liver fibrosis is the pathological process that results from chronic liver damage caused by multiple reasons
It involves the deposition of excess extracellular matrix (ECM), which compromises the liver functions and is the intermediate step in the development of liver cirrhosis for different chronic liver diseases [1]
It is mainly caused by the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which express α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and can be transformed to myofibroblasts and produce massive ECM including collagen I
Summary
Liver fibrosis is the pathological process that results from chronic liver damage caused by multiple reasons. Recent studies have indicated that liver fibrosis is a reversible pathological change [2] It is mainly caused by the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which express α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and can be transformed to myofibroblasts and produce massive ECM including collagen I (Col 1) [3]. Known as niuzhangzhi, niuzhanggu, and zhangneigu in Chinese, is a unique and rare medicinal mushroom, which was initially found in the forests of Taiwan and has earned the names “Shenzhi” and “forest ruby” [10]. It has a good effect on liver protection, alleviation of a hangover, and detoxification
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