18α-glycyrrhizin ameliorates oxidative stress in rats with CCl₄-induced liver fibrosis

AIM:To investigate the effect of 18-glycyrrhizin(18-GL) on oxidative stress in rats with experimental liver fibrosis.METHODS:Male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups:control group,fibrosis group,low-,medium-,and high-dose GL groups.Except the control group,liver fibrosis was induced by subcutaneous injection of 40% CCl 4 for 8 weeks in rats of the other groups.The three GL groups were treated with different doses of GL(6.25,12.5,25 mg/kg,respectively).All the rats were sacrificed at the end of the 8th week.Histopathological changes in the liver tissue were evaluated by HE staining and Mas-son collagen staining.The contents of MDA and HNE and the activity of SOD and GSH-PX in liver tissue homogenate were determined.RESULTS:18α-GL could inhibit CCl 4-induced liver fibrosis.The contents of MDA and HNE were elevated in the liver fibrosis group(both P < 0.05),but 18α-GL could markedly increase SOD and GSH-PX activity(both P < 0.05) and reduce the levels of MDA and HNE to protect the liver from damage.CONCLUSION:18α-GL can ameliorate hepatic histopathological changes and reduce hepatic lipid peroxidation,thus exerting antioxidant and antifibrotic effects in rats with experimental liver fibrosis.