Protective effects of Rhodiola sachalinesis A Bor on CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in rats

AIM: To study the protective effects of Rhodiola schalinensis A Bor on CCl4-induced liver fibrosis. METHODS: Male SD rats were divided into 3 groups: normal (N), Rhodiola sachalinesis A Bor(R) and model(M) group. The M and R group were given 300 ml/L CCl4(3ml/kg, 2 times/week) for 15 weeks and Rhodiola sachalinesis A Bor (0.5g/kg, p.o., daily for 15 weeks) was administered to rats of R group. Histopathological changes were examined. The changes of hepatic content of hydroxyproline and expression of α1(I)mRNA were observed. RESULTS: Rhodiola sachalinesis A Bor decreased the hepatic content of hydroxyproline (657±74 μg/g vs 1 257±98 μg/g, P <0.05) and severity of hepatic fibrosis, improved the liver histopathological changes and inhibited the expression of α1(I) mRNA and decreased the level of HA, C IV, PC III and TGFβ1 (164±46 μg/L, 97±15 μg/L, 289±76 μg/L, 60±20 mg/L vs 265±98 μg/L, 160±30 μg/L, 456±113 μg/L, 89±23 mg/L. P <0.05, P <0.01). CONCLUSION: Rhodiola sachalinesis A Bor is effective in protecting against CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in rats, its mechanisms appear to be associated with the inhibition of collagen production and, protection of hepatic cells.