The effects of Tao-Hong-Si-Wu on hepatic necroinflammatory activity and fibrosis in a murine model of chronic liver disease. (2nd March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xi, Shengyan; Shi, Mengmeng; Jiang, Xueqiang; Minuk, Gerald Y.; Cheng, Yao; Peng, Ying; Gong, Yuewen; Xu, Yangxinzi; Wang, Xinrong; Yang, Jiaqi; Yue, Lifeng; Wang, Yanhui
• Is Part Of: Journal of ethnopharmacology. Volume 180(2016)
• Page Start: 28
• Page End: 36
• Publication Date: 2016-03-02
• Subjects: THSWD Tao-Hong-Si-Wu decoction -- TCM traditional Chinese medicine -- CCl4 carbon tetrachloride -- VEGF vascular endothelial growth factor -- KDR kinase insert domain-containing receptor -- AST aspartate aminotransferase -- ALT alanine aminotransferase -- Alb albumin -- TBIL total bilirubin -- HA hyaluronic acid -- LN laminin -- ANOVA analysis of variance -- ELISA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay -- HE hematoxylin and eosin; Tao-Hong-Si-Wu decoction -- Hepatic necroinflammatory activity -- Hepatic fibrosis -- Hepatic function -- Vascular endothelial growth factor -- Flt-1 -- Kinase insert domain-containing receptor -- Akt -- Phosphorylated Akt; Ethnopharmacology -- Periodicals; Pharmacognosy -- Periodicals; Herbs -- Periodicals; Herbs -- Periodicals; Pharmacognosy -- Periodicals; Pharmacognosie -- Périodiques; Herbes -- Périodiques; 615.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2016.01.030
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0378-8741

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Tao-Hong-Si-Wu decoction (THSWD) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine that has been used for centuries in the treatment of Chinese patients with chronic liver disease. Recently, THSWD has been reported to alter vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) induced angiogenesis, raising the possibility that in addition to its anti-inflammatory properties; THSWD might also inhibit hepatic blood flow associated fibrosis. Aim: To document the effects of THSWD on hepatic necroinflammatory disease activity, fibrosis and VEGF signaling in a murine model of chronic liver disease. Methods: Sixty adult mice were equally divided into six study groups. Five groups were exposed to subcutaneous carbon tetrachloride (0.1 ml/10 g BW) for six weeks. Three of the five groups were treated with different concentrations of THSWD (4.25, 8.50, 17.00 g/kg), one with 0.1 mg/kg of Colchicine (positive control), and one with physiologic saline (negative control). Mice in the sixth group were not exposed to CCl4 and remained untreated (healthy controls). Liver enzymes/function tests, hyaluronic acid and laminin levels were measured in serum, and hepatic histology, VEGF, Flt-1 and kinase insert domain-containing receptor (KDR), Akt and phosphorylated Akt (pAkt) expression were documented in liver tissue at the end of treatment. Results: Hepatic necroinflammatory disease activity and fibrosis were significantly attenuated in THSWD treated mice in a dose dependent manner. These beneficial results were similar and often exceeded those achieved with Colchicine. In addition, VEGF, Flt-1, KDR, Akt and pAkt mRNA and protein expression were reduced in TSHWD treated mice. Conclusions: In this animal model of chronic liver disease, THSWD decreased hepatic necroinflammatory disease and fibrosis. Inhibition of VEGF expression and downstream signaling were associated with these findings. Further studies with this and other TCMs as treatment for chronic liver disease are warranted. Graphical abstract: