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World J Gastroenterol. May 21, 2005; 11(19): 2984-2989
Published online May 21, 2005. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i19.2984
Protective effect of fufanghuangqiduogan against acute liver injury in mice
Shuang-Ying Gui, Wei Wei, Hua Wang, Li Wu, Wu-Yi Sun, Cheng-Yi Wu
Shuang-Ying Gui, Wei Wei, Hua Wang, Li Wu, Wu-Yi Sun Cheng-Yi Wu, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, Anhui Province, China
Shuang-Ying Gui, Department of Pharmacy, Anhui College of TCM, Hefei 230031, Anhui Province, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by the State High Technology Research and Development Program of China (863 Program), No. 2002AA2Z3235
Correspondence to: Professor Wei Wei, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, Anhui Province, China. wwei@ahmu.edu.cn
Telephone: +86-551-5161208 Fax: +86-551-5161208
Received: July 19, 2004
Revised: July 20, 2004
Accepted: September 4, 2004
Published online: May 21, 2005
Abstract

AIM: To study the effects and possible mechanisms of fufanghuangqiduogan (FFHQ) in mice with acute liver injury (ALI).

METHODS: ALI was successfully induced by injecting carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) intraperitoneally and by tail vein injection of Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mice, respectively. Each of the two model groups was divided into normal group, model group, FFHQ (60, 120 and 240 mg/kg) treatment groups, and bifendate treatment group. At the end of the experiment, levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), content of malondialdehyde (MDA), activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) in liver homogenate were measured by biochemical methods. The activities of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) were determined by radio-immunoassay. Hepatic tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and examined under a light microscope.

RESULTS: In the two models of ALI, FFHQ (60, 120, 240 mg/kg) was found to significantly decrease the serum transaminase (ALT, AST) activities. Meanwhile, FFHQ decreased MDA contents and upregulated the lower SOD and GSH-px levels in liver homogenate. Furthermore, in immunologic liver injury model, FFHQ decreased levels of TNF-α and IL-1 in serum. Histologic examination showed that FFHQ could attenuate the area and extent of necrosis, reduce the immigration of inflammatory cells.

CONCLUSION: FFHQ had protective effect on liver injury induced by either CCl4 or BCG+LPS in mice, and its mecha-nisms were related to free radical scavenging, increasing SOD and GSH-px activities and inhibiting the production of proinflammatory mediators.

Keywords: Fufanghuangqiduogan; Radix Paeonia Pall; Radix Astragali; Acute liver injury