Ginseng extract and ginsenoside Rb1 attenuate carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis in rats

Abstract

BackgroundGinsenosides, the major bioactive compounds in ginseng root, have been found to have antioxidant, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory activities. This study investigated the effects of ginsenosides on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatitis and liver fibrosis in rats.MethodsMale Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, CCl4, CCl4 + 0.5 g/kg Panax ginseng extract and CCl4 + 0.05 g/kg ginsenoside Rb1 groups. The treated groups were orally given Panax ginseng extract or ginsenoside Rb1 two weeks before the induction of liver injury for successive 9 weeks. Liver injury was induced by intraperitoneally injected with 400 ml/l CCl4 at a dose of 0.75 ml/kg body weight weekly for 7 weeks. The control group was intraperitoneally injected with olive oil.ResultsThe pathological results showed that ginsenoside Rb1 decreased hepatic fat deposition (2.65 ± 0.82 vs 3.50 ± 0.75, p <0.05) and Panax ginseng extract lowered hepatic reticular fiber accumulation (1.05 ± 0.44 vs 1.60 ± 0.39, p <0.01) increased by CCl4. Plasma alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities were increased by CCl4 (p <0.01), and aspartate aminotransferase activity was decreased by Panax ginseng extract at week 9 (p <0.05). Exposure to CCl4 for 7 weeks, the levels of plasma and hepatic triglycerides (p <0.01), hepatic cholesterol (p <0.01), interleukin-1β (p <0.01), prostaglandin E2 (p <0.05), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (p <0.05), hydroxyproline (p <0.05), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (p <0.05) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) (p <0.01) were elevated, however, hepatic interleukin-10 level was lowered (p <0.05). Both Panax ginseng extract and ginsenoside Rb1 decreased plasma and hepatic triglyceride, hepatic prostaglandin E2, hydroxyproline and TIMP-1 levels, and Panax ginseng extract further inhibited interleukin-1β concentrations (p <0.05).ConclusionsPanax ginseng extract and ginsenoside Rb1 attenuate plasma aminotransferase activities and liver inflammation to inhibit CCl4-induced liver fibrosis through down-regulation of hepatic prostaglandin E2 and TIMP-1.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells with Enhanced Bcl-2 Expression Promote Liver Recovery in a Rat Model of Hepatic Cirrhosis

“…It should be noted that CCl 4 was given at a relatively high dosage, allowing an induction of liver cirrhosis in a short period. This might account for the severe liver dysfunction and cirrhosis in the CCl 4 -treated rats in the present study, relative to previous reports [38][39][40].…”

“…* p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, compared to week 1 in the same group. + p < 0.05, ++ p < 0.01, compared to the cirrhosis+saline group at the same time point Experimental cirrhosis was induced in rats by intraperitoneal injection of CCl 4 using established methods [38][39][40]. It should be noted that CCl 4 was given at a relatively high dosage, allowing an induction of liver cirrhosis in a short period.…”

Ameliorative effects of pomegranate on carbon tetrachloride hepatotoxicity in rats: A molecular and histopathological study

“…In addition, IL-10 induces the downregulation of T helper 1 cytokine mRNA expression, and inhibits IL-1 and IL-6 production (37,38). In the present study, CCl 4 -induced downregulation of IL-10 is consistent with the findings of a previous study, which reported that CCl 4 reduced hepatic IL-10 expression, as compared with in the control group (39). In the present study, POM upregulated IL-10 expression, thus suggesting that POM exerts an anti-inflammatory effect, which protects the liver from CCl 4 -induced inflammation.…”

Ginsenoside Rb1 improves cardiac function and remodeling in heart failure

“…Xie XS, et al have demonstrated that ginsenoside Rb1 alleviates renal interstitial fibrosis in unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) rat model [ 37 ]. Moreover, ginsenoside Rb1 has been demonstrated to be effective in attenuating liver fibrosis in vitro and in vivo [ 11 , 24 ]. Our results showed that ginsenoside Rb1, especially H-ginsenoside Rb1, and losartan reduced the expression levels of Ang II, ACE, AT1 receptor, periostin and collagen I in a rat model of HF.…”