Hepatoprotective Effects of Chinese Medicine Herbs Decoction on Liver Cirrhosis in Rats
Hepatoprotective and curative activities of aqueous extract of decoction containing 10 Chinese medicinal herbs (HPE XA 08) were evaluated in Sprague Dawley albino rats with liver damage induced by thioacetamide (TAA) These activities were assessed by investigating the liver enzymes level and also histopathology investigation. Increases in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels were observed in rats with cirrhotic liver. No significant alterations of the liver enzymes were observed following treatment with HPE XA 08. Histopathology examination of rats treated with HPE XA 08 at 250 mg/kg body weight, however, exhibited moderate liver protective effects. Reduced extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins within the hepatocytes were noted in comparison to the cirrhotic liver. The curative effects of HPE XA 08 were observed with marked decrease in the level of ALP (more than 3x) and level of GGT (more than 2x) in cirrhotic rat treated with 600 mg/kg body weight HPE XA 08 in comparison to cirrhotic rat treated with just water diluent. Reversion of cirrhotic liver to normal liver condition in rats treated with HPE XA 08 was observed. Results from the present study suggest that HPE XA 08 treatment assisted in the protection from liver cirrhosis and improved the recovery of cirrhotic liver.
Evidence based complementary and alternative medicine eCAM