Ameliorative effects and mechanisms of Miao medicine Euphorbia humifusa on hepatic fibrosis model rats
- VernacularTitle:苗药地锦草对肝纤维化模型大鼠的改善作用及机制研究
- Author:
Weinong WEN
1
;
Zhenxiang AN
2
;
Yuanli HE
3
;
Min WU
1
;
Song HE
1
Author Information
1. The First Clinical Medical College，Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine，Guiyang 550001，China
2. The First Clinical Medical College，Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine，Guiyang 550001，China;Dept. of Gastroenterology，the First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine，Guiyang 550001，China
3. The First Clinical Medical College，Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine，Guiyang 550001，China;Dept. of Geriatrics，the First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine，Guiyang 550001，China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Euphorbia humifusa;
hepatic fibrosis;
TNF-α/NF-κB signaling pathway;
Miao medicine
- From:
China Pharmacy
2025;36(4):407-413
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE To investigate the ameliorative effects and mechanisms of Miao medicine Euphorbia humifusa on hepatic fibrosis （HF） model rats. METHODS Thirty-eight rats were randomly assigned according to a random number table into control group （normal saline， n＝7）， model group （normal saline， n＝7）， E. humifusa low-， medium- and high-dose groups （0.675， 1.35， 2.70 g/kg， n＝6）， and silybin group （positive control， 18.9 mg/kg， n＝6）. All groups except the control group were subjected to HF induction via intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride. After modeling， rats were administered their respective drugs/normal saline by gavage， once a day， for 30 days. At the last medication， the liver index was calculated， and serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-17 （IL-17）， IL-1β， IL-6， alanine transaminase （ALT）， aspartate transaminase （AST）， and hydroxyproline （HYP） were measured. Liver morphology and HF changes were observed. Levels of transforming growth factor- β1 （TGF- β1） and α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA）， as well as the expressions of α -SMA， proteins related to TNF- α/NF- κB signaling pathway， mRNA expressions of TNF-α and NF-κB p65 in liver tissue were determined. RESULTS Compared with model group， liver index， serum levels of TNF-α， IL-17， IL-1β， IL-6， ALT， AST and HYP， relative expression of NF-κB p65 mRNA， and the levels of TNF-α and α-SMA proteins and phosphorylated NF-κB p65 in liver tissues of rats from administration groups， the expressions of α-SMA and TGF-β1 in liver tissue of rats from E. humifusa medium-dose and high-dose groups， as well as positive staining percentage and mRNA expression of TNF- α in liver tissue of rats from E. humifusa high-dose group were all decreased significantly （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； IκBα protein expression from administration groups was significantly increased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Pathological changes and the degree of HF in the liver tissues of rats from administration groups were ameliorated to various extents. CONCLUSIONS E. humifusa may alleviate HF in rats by inhibiting the activation of the TNF-α/NF-κB signaling pathway.
