Graptopetalum paraguayense ameliorates chemical-induced rat hepatic fibrosis in vivo and inactivates stellate cells and Kupffer cells in vitro

Su, LJ; Chang, CC; Yang, CH; Hsieh, SJ; Wu, YC; Lai, JM; Tseng, TL; Huang, CY; Hsu, SL

HERO ID

1521311

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2013

Language

English

PMID

23335984

HERO ID 1521311
In Press No
Year 2013
Title Graptopetalum paraguayense ameliorates chemical-induced rat hepatic fibrosis in vivo and inactivates stellate cells and Kupffer cells in vitro
Authors Su, LJ; Chang, CC; Yang, CH; Hsieh, SJ; Wu, YC; Lai, JM; Tseng, TL; Huang, CY; Hsu, SL
Journal PLoS ONE
Volume 8
Issue 1
Page Numbers e53988
Abstract <strong>BACKGROUND: </strong>Graptopetalum paraguayense (GP) is a folk herbal medicine with hepatoprotective effects that is used in Taiwan. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective and antifibrotic effects of GP on experimental hepatic fibrosis in both dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)- and carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced liver injury rats.<br /><br /><strong>METHODS: </strong>Hepatic fibrosis-induced rats were fed with the methanolic extract of GP (MGP) by oral administration every day. Immunohistochemistry, biochemical assays, and Western blot analysis were performed. The effects of MGP on the expression of fibrotic markers and cytokines in the primary cultured hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and Kupffer cells, respectively, were evaluated.<br /><br /><strong>RESULTS: </strong>Oral administration of MGP significantly alleviated DMN- or CCl(4)-induced liver inflammation and fibrosis. High levels of alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, bilirubin, prothrombin activity and mortality rates also decreased in rats treated with MGP. There were significantly decreased hydroxyproline levels in therapeutic rats compared with those of the liver-damaged rats. Collagen I and alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression were all reduced by incubation with MGP in primary cultured rat HSCs. Furthermore, MGP induced apoptotic cell death in activated HSCs. MGP also suppressed lipopolysaccharide-stimulated rat Kupffer cell activation by decreasing nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 production, and increasing interleukin-10 expression.<br /><br /><strong>CONCLUSIONS: </strong>The results show that the administration of MGP attenuated toxin-induced hepatic damage and fibrosis in vivo and inhibited HSC and Kupffer cell activation in vitro, suggesting that MGP might be a promising complementary or alternative therapeutic agent for liver inflammation and fibrosis.
Doi 10.1371/journal.pone.0053988
Pmid 23335984
Wosid WOS:000314707700042
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English