| Summary: | 碩士 === 中國醫藥大學 === 基礎醫學研究所碩士班 === 99 === To investigate the effects of Hypericum japonicum extracts (HJE) on liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in mice. Mice were divided randomly into four groups; control, CCl4, and two HJE groups. Except for mice in the control group, all mice were orally administered CCl4 twice a week for 8 weeks. Mice in the HJE groups were treated daily with HJE (0.4 or 1.2 g/kg) through gastrogavage for the entire experimental period. Mice that received the HJE treatment had significantly reduced hepatic hydroxyproline and malondialdehyde contents. A histological examination also confirmed that HJE reduced the degree of fibrosis caused by the CCl4 treatment. RT-PCR analysis showed that HJE treatment reduced the mRNA expressions of CD14, TNF-??, α-SMA. In conclusion, oral administration of HJE significantly reduces CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis in mice.
Furthermore, in the studies of mice macrophage cell line RAW264.7, we discovered various fractions from HJE can significant reduce nitric oxide induced by gram-negative bacteria outer membrane component, LPS. After the partition from ethyl acetate then used liquid column to separate, the ethyl acetate fraction13 is the most effective and which can reduce cell activation and nitric oxide release significant. Moreover, HJE-EA13 can also reduce the NF-κB pathway activation then decrease iNOS, NF-κB P65/P50 protein express induce by LPS.
In conclusion, these results indicate that HJE alleviates CCl4-induced liver fibrosis, and this protection is probably due to its anti-inflammatory action.
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