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World J Gastroenterol. Jun 28, 2006; 12(24): 3924-3928
Published online Jun 28, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i24.3924
Effects of extract from Ginkgo biloba on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in rats
Shui-Xiang He, Jin-Yan Luo, Yue-Peng Wang, Yan-Li Wang, Han Fu, Jun-Li Xu, Gang Zhao, En-Qi Liu
Shui-Xiang He, Jin-Yan Luo, Department of Gastroenterolgy, Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University School of Medical, Xi'an 710001, Shaanxi Province, China
Yue-Peng Wang, Yan-Li Wang, Han Fu, Jun-Li Xu, Gang Zhao, Department of Gastroenterolgy, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University School of Medical, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi Province, China
En-Qi Liu, Experimental Animal Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University School of Medical, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi Province, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Dr. Shui-Xiang He, Department of Gastroenterolgy, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University School of Medical, Xi’an 710004, Shaanxi Province, China. hesx123@163.net
Telephone: +86-29-85324001 Fax: +86-29-85221659
Received: January 13, 2006
Revised: February 13, 2006
Accepted: February 18, 2006
Published online: June 28, 2006
Abstract

AIM: To study the effects of extract from Ginkgo biloba (EGb) containing 22% flavonoid and 5% terpenoid on chronic liver injury and liver fibrosis of rats induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4).

METHODS: All rats were randomly divided into control group, CCl4-treated group, colchicine-treated group and EGb-protected group. Chronic liver injury was induced in experimental groups by subcutaneous injection of CCl4 and fed with chows premixed with 79.5% corn powder, 20% lard and 0.5% cholesterol (v/v). EGb-protected group was treated with EGb (0.5 g/kg body weight per day) for 7 wk. At the end of wk 8, all the rats were killed. Liver function, liver fibrosis, oxidative stress and expression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), a-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and type I collagens in liver were determined. In addition, pathology changes of liver tissue were observed under light microscope.

RESULTS: The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and albumin (Alb) in EGb-protected group were notably improved as compared with the CCL4-treated group (P < 0.01). The contents of serum hyaluronic acid (HA), type III procollagen (PCIII), type IV collagen (CIV) and the expression of hepatic tissue TGF-β1, α-SMA and type I collagen in EGb-protected group were significantly lower than those in CCL4-treated groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The degrees of liver fibrosis in EGb-protected groups were lower than those in CCL4-treated groups (6.58 ± 1.25 vs 9.52 ± 2.06, P < 0.05). Compared to the CCL4-treated group, the levels of plasma glutathoine peroxidase (Se-GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were strikingly improved also in EGb-protected group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: EGb resists oxidative stress and thereby reduces chronic liver injury and liver fibrosis in rats with liver injury induced by CCl4.

Keywords: Rats; Hepatic fibrosis; Chronic liver damage; Extract from Ginkgo biloba; Lipid peroxidation