Emodin alleviates CCl4‑induced liver fibrosis by suppressing epithelial‑mesenchymal transition and transforming growth factor‑β1 in rats

Abstract

Liver fibrosis is a chronic disease that exhibits a complicated pathophysiology. It is characterized by the deposition of the extracellular matrix. Emodin, an active constituent isolated from rhubarb, has antibacterial, immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects. In the present study, the mechanism through which emodin alleviates liver fibrosis in rats was investigated. A rat model of liver fibrosis was generated by administering CCl4 via subcutaneous injection twice a week for 12 weeks. Emodin or sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), as the vehicle, were intragastrically administered daily. After 12 weeks, the liver function index was examined by blood analysis, histopathological scores of fibrosis was determined by hematoxylin and eosin staining and level of collagen deposition was examined by Masson staining. In addition, protein and RNA samples were collected for further analysis. The results of the present study revealed that emodin significantly reduced the liver function index and level of collagen deposition in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, emodin reduced the expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and the phosphorylation levels of mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 2/3, and inhibited the CCl4-induced downregulation of E-cadherin and upregulation of the mesenchymal markers, fibronectin and vimentin. The expression levels of TGF-β1, Snail family transcriptional repressor (Snail) 2, Snail, twist-related protein 1 and zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox (ZEB)1 and 2 mRNA were significantly decreased in emodin-treated groups compared with the untreated control. Collectively, the results of the present study suggested that emodin may exert antifibrotic effects via the suppression of TGF-β1 signaling and epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

A Comprehensive Review of Natural Products against Liver Fibrosis: Flavonoids, Quinones, Lignans, Phenols, and Acids

“…Zhao's research indicated that the mechanism of emodin against liver fibrosis was partially related to a reduction in the infiltration of Gr1hi monocytes [ 117 ]. Moreover, emodin also protected against liver fibrosis and HSC activation by reducing TGF- β 1 and Smad4 expression and inhibiting tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) expression, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition [ 118 – 120 ]. In addition, 25 and 100 mg/kg rhein inhibited liver fibrosis induced by CCl 4 /ethanol in rats, which possibly benefited from antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of rhein.…”

<p>Emodin Retarded Renal Fibrosis Through Regulating HGF and TGFβ–Smad Signaling Pathway</p>

“…In recent research, emodin relieved the severity of fibrosis via downregulation of TGFβ 1 -Smad signaling. 43 Additionally, emodin relieved fibrosis symptoms via inactivation of TGFβ 1 -Smad signaling. 44 Our study was consistent with these results.…”

Zeaxanthin Dipalmitate in the Treatment of Liver Disease

“…Besides goji berry-derived ZD, other active compounds have been isolated from TCM herbs, and their effects on liver disease were investigated. These include berberine (Huanglian) [20, 21], emodin (Dahuang) [22], and gastrodin (Tianma) [23, 24]. Although few studies assessing the benefits of ZD cover a wide range of liver conditions.…”