Study of cichorium intybus L. on improving liver function and inhibiting liver fibrosis in rats

Abstract

Objective To observe the effect of cichorium intybus L.(C.intybus) on improving liver function and inhibiting liver fibrosis in rats,and explore its mechanisms. Methods The rate experimental liver fibrosis models were induced by carbon tetrachloride(CCl4),and the 36 surviving rats were divided into three groups randomly:model group(1 ml/kg 40% CCl4- oil), low dose C.intybus(2.0 g/kg) group and high dose C.intybus(18.0 g/kg)group. The control group(n= 12)was injected with normal saline during the experiment(10 ml/kg). The organ coefficient of the liver,liver fibrosis stage,alanine transaminase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST), hyaluronic acid(HA),laminin(LN),hydroxyproline(Hyp),malondialdehyde(MDA), reduced glutathione(GSH)and superoxide dismutase(SOD)were measured and compared among different groups. Results The organ coefficient of the liver,liver fibrosis stage, ALT, AST, HA, LN, Hyp and MDA levels were higher,and GSH and SOD levels were lower in model group than in control group (P<0.05)[(3.58±0.37)% vs.(2.57±0.29)%, 18.50 vs.6.50,(231.27±40.09) U/L vs.(38.73± 10.82) U/L,(241.23±22.77) U/L vs.(40.53±3.64) U/L,(329.08±23.97)μg/L vs.(203.37±29.36) μg/L,(129.03±18.26)μg/L vs.(83.82±10.92)μg/L,(22.01±0.32)μg/L vs.(15.89±0.39)μg/L, (3.05±0.35) nmol/mg protein vs.(1.13±0.12) nmol/mg protein,(1.82±0.38) nmol/mg protein vs. (3.07±0.12)nmol/mg protein,and(151.95±22.25) U/mg protein vs.(253.72±27.76) U/mg protein, respectively].As compared with model group, the organ coefficient of the liver, liver fibrosis stage, ALT, AST, HA, LN, Hyp and MDA levels were reduced,and GSH and SOD levels were increased in high dose C. intybus group(P<0.05)[(3.17±0.18)% vs.(3.58±0.37)%,6.50 vs.18.50,(117.88±20.70)U/L vs. (231.27±40.09) U/L,(110.39±16.62) U/L vs.(241.23±22.77) U/L,(238.82±40.08)μg/L vs. (329.08±23.97)μg/L,(85.67±14.20)μg/L vs.(129.03±18.26)μg/L,(16.83±0.41)μg/L vs.(22.01 ±0.32)μg/L,(1.69±0.33)nmol/mg protein vs.(3.05±0.35)nmol/mg protein,(2.73±0.18)nmol/mg protein vs.(1.82±0.38)nmol/mg protein,and(220.85±18.83)U/mg protein vs.(151.95±22.25)U/mg protein, respectively], however, the low dose C.intybus group only had a lower level of liver fibrosis stage (P<0.05)and had no statistically significant differences in the rest indicators(P<0.05). Conclusion C.intybus has an important role in inhibiting liver injury and liver fibrosis probably by suppressing the MDA production and antagonizing free radicals. Key words: Cichorium intybus L.; Carbon tetrachloride; Liver fibrosis