• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.501-506
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• 2000

We examined the antifibrotic effect of a methanol extract from Stephania tetrandra (ST) on experimental liver fibrosis. liver fibrosis was induced by bile duct ligation and scission (BDL/S) in rats. In BDL/S rats, activity levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminse (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), concentration of total bilirubin in serum, and hydroxyproline content of the liver were significantly increased. The ST treatment (either 100 ${m}g/kg/day$ or 200 ${m}g/kg/day$, p.o. for 4 weeks) in BDL/S rats reduced the serum AST, ALT and ALP activity levels significantly (p<0.01). Similarly, when compared to the control group, the concentration of hydroxyproline in the livers of the BDL/S rats treated with 100${m}g$ or 200${m}g$ ST treated rats decreased by 40% and 33% respectively, when compared to the BDL/S control group (p<0.01). The morphological characteristics of fibrotic liver that were observed in the BDL/S control group, improved in the ST treated BDL/S group. In the fibrotic liver of BDL/S rats treated with ST, a marked reduction in the numbers of alpha smooth muscle cell actin positive stellate cells was observed. These results indicate that doses of either 100 or 200 ${m}g/kg/day$ of methanol extract from S. tetrandra, had an antifibrotic effect in rats with liver fibrosis induced by bile duct ligation and scission.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.220-224
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• 1997

This study was carried out to investigate the dose dependent antifibrotic effects of polysaccharide from mycelium of Ganoderma lucidum. The experimental hepatic cirrhosis was induced by bile duct ligation/scission (BDL/S) in rats. BDL/S rats in each group were dosed 0.5 mg, 2.0 mg, 5.0 mg or 10.O mg/rat/day orally for 4 weeks after the operation. Antifibrotic effects were evaluated by serum biochemical values, hydroxyproline contents, and light microscopical histology. The results obtained were as follows: 1) Hydroxyproline contents in liver of 5.0 and 10.0mg polysaccharide-treated BDL/S rats were significantly reduced 2) In serum test, ALT, AST, ALP values in polysaccharide from Ganoderma lucidum-treated group were lower than BDL/S control group 3) The hepatic damage such as hepatocellular necrosis, inflammation, bile duct proliferation and fibrosis was less severe in the livers of 2.0 mg and 5.0 mg polysaccharide-treated rats. These results suggest that polysaccharide from mycelium of Ganoderma lucidum to be a promising agent for the inhibition of hepatic cirrhosis.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.327-332
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• 2001

The antifibrotic effects of hot water extract (WEC), intracellular biopolymer (IPC) and extracellular biopolymers (EPC) from mycelial liquid culture of Cordyceps militaris on liver fibrosis were studied. Liver fibrosis was induced by a bile duct ligation and scission (BDL/S) operation, duration of 4 weeks in rats. In BDL/S rats, the levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin in serum and hydroxyproline content in liver were dramatically increased. The WEC or IPC treatment (30mg/kg/day for 4 weeks, p.o.) in BDL/S rats reduced the serum AST, ALT and ALP levels significantly (p<0.01). The EPC treatment (30 mg/kg /day for 4 weeks, p.o.) reduced the serum ALT, AST and ALP levels significantly (p<0.01). Malondialdehyde contents in liver treated with WEC, IPC or EPC were significantly reduced (p <0.05). But Liver hydroxyproline content was decreased only in EPC treated BDL/S rats to 55% that of BDL/S control rats (p < 0.01). The morphological characteristics and expression of alpha smooth muscle like actin in fibrotic liver, which appeared in BDL/S control group were improved in EPC treated fibrotic liver. These results indicate that IPC (30 mg/kg /day for 4 weeks, p.o.) has an antifibrotic effect on fibrotic rats induced by BDL/S.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.613-619
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• 2000

We investigated the expression profiles of rat fibrotic liver induced by bile duct ligation and scission (BDL/S) using the 3'-directed cDNA libraries. The possibility that the 3'-directed cDNA library represents the mRNA population faithfully was examined by northern blots. During the northern analysis based on fibrotic liver expression profile, we found for the first time that purine specific sodium nucleoside cotransporter (SPNT) was upregulated in BDL/S-induced fibrotic liver. To determine whether the accumulation of bile juice could affect the expression of SPNT mRNA or not, we examined the change of SPNT mRNA expression at 3, 14, 28 days after BDL/S operation. No change in SPNT expression was observed in rat liver at 3 days after surgery. In contrast, there were significant increases in SPNT expression at 14 and 28 days after surgery. We also examined whether chronic liver damage affected SPNT mRNA expression. SPNT mRNA level was significantly increased in BDL/S-induced fibrotic rat liver, whereas no significant change was obserbed in fibrotic livers chronically exposed to carbon tetrachloride or dimethylnitrosamine. From the above results, although further study might be needed, it was considered that the increment of SPNT mRNA in BDL/S liver morphological compatibility to human was remarkable.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.109-117
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• 2004

This study was carried out to investigate the liver protective effects of extracts from Persicae Semen (WT-003, WT-005, WT-006). The acute hepatic injury was induced by intraperitoneal injection of alpha-naphtylisothiocyanate (75 mg/kg, p.o.) and treated with WT-006 (100 mg/kg/day, 200 mg/kg/day, 400 mg/kg/day). The experimental hepatic fibrosis was induced by bile duct ligation／scission(BDL/S), duration of 4 weeks and treated with WT-003, WT-005 or WT-006 (200 mg/kg/days for 4 week). In acute liver injury, WT-006 (200 or 400 mg/kg) lowered serum alanine transferase(ALT) and aspartate transferase(AST) significantly. In fibrotic rats, WT-006 treatment inhibited the hydroxyproline deposition in liver and lowered serum AST, ALT and ALP, significantly. These results suggest WT-006 extract, which does not contain amygdalin, from Persicae Semen have liver protective and antifibrotic effects in rats.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.622-628
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• 1997

Hepatic cirrhosis is a common response to chronic liver injury from many causes and is one of the most common cause of all deaths. This study was carried out to compare experimental hepatic cirrhosis in rats to understand this disease and to apply for the pharmacokinetics in disease state. Following three kinds of experimental models were induced; 1) Bile duct ligation/scission (BDL/S), 2) N, N-dimethylnitrosamine(DMN), 3) Carbon tetrachloride. The hepatic cirrhosis was characterized by examing the liver/body weight ratio, serum biochemical values, hydroxyproline content in liver and histopathological lesions in cirrhotic rat liver. The results are as follows : (1) In BDL/S, the liver was enlarged to 250% of normal liver. In contrast the liver was shrinked to 48% and 78% of the normal liver in DMN and carbon tetrachloride, respectively. (2) In carbon tetrachloride and BDL/S, the serum ALT, AST, ALP and total bilirubin levels were significantly increased to 200~300% of normal level, while ALT and total bilirubin levels were significantly increased in DMN group. (3) Hydroxyproline content in cirrhotic rat liver was significantly 200~500% higher than that of normal liver. (4) Nodular formation with fibrosis was observed in BDL/S, DMN, carbon tetrachloride induced cirrhotic rat liver.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.101-105
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• 2009

We previously reported that a novel cerebroside, LCC, isolated from the fruits of Lycium chinense (Solanaceae), significantly exerted hepatoprotective activity against both the carbon tetrachloride-induced and galactosamine-induced toxicities in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes. In the present study, we further attempted to determine the effect of LCC on hepatic fibrosis in animal model. Hepatic fibrosis was induced in rats by bile duct ligation/scission (BDL) for a period of 5 weeks. Treatment of BDL rats with LCC significantly reduced collagen deposition and the activities of serum alkaline phosphatase and ${\gamma}$-glutamyl transpeptidase. In addition, the LCC treatment of BDL rats significantly preserved the decreased hepatic glutathione as well as the activities of glutathione reductase and catalase in BDL rats. From the results, it can be speculated that LCC might exert antifibrotic activity in rats with BDL, in part, through the preservation of antioxidant enzymes and hepatic glutathione.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.213-221
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• 1996

In order to develop a suitable secondary renal disease model and diagnostic markers of renal disease in the rat, the change of PIIIP (aminoterminal procollagen III peptide) in serum and hydroxyproline levels in the renal tissue that reflect the synthesis of extracellular matrix (ECM) during development of experimental renal diseases were observed. Two types of experimental primary diseases, diabetes mellitus administrated by streptozotocin (STZ, 75 mg/kg, i.p.) and liver cirrhosis produced by bile duct ligation/scission (BDL/s) operation, were induced. The hydroxyproline level increased according to the high PIIIP and NCl(carboxyterminal procollagen IV peptide) in Western blot analysis as early as 1 week in the STZ treated-rat kidney. Increased renal ECM was observed at 15 weeks in STZ and BDL/s model under the microscopic examination. High PAS positive reaction was found in capillary basement membrane in STZ treated-rats and mesangium in BDL/s operated rats at this time, showing the histological characteristics of diabetic nephropathy and cirrhotic glomerulonephritis in human, respectively. Such secondary renal failure were supported by additional tests including urinalysis and renal function test. The serum PIIIP detected by ELISA was a useful parameter to estimate synthesis rate of renal ECM during development of renal disease without extrarenal fibrosis i.e. liver cirrhosis in rats. This study is proposed that STZ treatment or BDL/s operation may be a suitable experimental animal model for the induction and development of chronic secondary renal diseases. Morover, it was found that hydroxyproline level in renal tissues was a good parameter of the change of renal ECM at the early stage of the diseases without apparent histological changes. Especially, serum PIIIP could be a choice as a diagnostic or prognostic marker during the development of renal diseases in rats.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1994.04a
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• pp.202-202
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• 1994

G009의 hepatic cirrhosis animal model중 bile duct ligation/scission (BDL/S) rat에서의 항섬유화 효과를 조사하였다. BDL/S 수술 후 4주간 투약군에는 G009 saline soln.(5mg/rat/day)을, 대조군에는 saline을 경구투여하였다. fibrosis가 최고에 달하는 4주후 rat를 도살하여, 혈청중 N-terminal procollagen type III peptide(PIIINP) level, 간 조직중 hydroxy proline content, serum biochemical value(ALT, AST, choleterol, total bilirubin, creatinine) 측정 및 간조직검사를 실시하였다. 그 결과 1) 혈청중 PIIINP의 경우, 투약군 BDL/S group(10.3ng/ml$\pm$2.2)이 대조군 (20.5ng/m1$\pm$3.9)에 비해 약 50%정도 유의성 있게 감소하였다(p<0,01). 2) 간 조직중 hydroxy proline치 측정 결과, 투약군 BDL/S group(471$\pm$160$\mu\textrm{g}$/g liver)이 대조군(566$\pm$42.9$\mu\textrm{g}$/g liver)에 비하여 약 13%정도 유의성있게 감소하였다(p<0.05). 3) 간조직검사 결과 투약군의 BDL/S op. group이 대조군보다 necrosis, inflammetion, bile duct proliferation, connective tissue 침착 등이 약화되었다. 위 실험을 종합한 결과 G009는 biliary cirrhosis model에서 antifibrotic effect가 있음이 사료된다.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.338-344
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• 1994

This study was carried out to investigate the antifibrotic effects of polysaccharides extracted from Garnoderma lucidum. The biliary cirrhosis was induced by bile duct ligation/scission (BDL/S) in rats. BDL/S rats were dosed 5 mg/rat/day orally for 4 weeks after the operation. Antifibrotic effects were evaluated by serum biochemical values, serum procollagen type III peptide (PIIINP) levels, liver hydroxyproline contents, and light microscopical histology. The results obtained were as follows; 1) PIIINP levels in sera of treated BDL/S group were lowered to 50% of those of untreated BDL/S group. 2) Hydroxyproline contents in the liver of treated BDL/S group were also reduced to 83% of those of untreated BDL/S rats. 3) The hepatic damage such as hepatocellular necrosis, inflammation, bile duct proliferation and fibrosis was less severe in the livers of treated rats. These results suggest polysaccharides extracted from Garnoderma lucidum to be a promising agent for the inhibition of hepatic cirrhosis(fibrosis).