Abstract：Objective To investigate the protective effect of total flavones of Artemisia capillaris Thumb on chronic liver injury induced by subcutaneous injection of CCl4 continually in rats. Methods The rats in experiment were divided into 6 groups as follows: normal control group (0.9% sodium chloride), model group, positive group (Yinzhihuang oral solution group), low, middle, and high dosage groups of total flavones of Artemisia capillaris Thunb. Body weight and survival rate of rats were determined. The serum sample and the liver tissue samples from all groups were collected for the biochemical and pathological examination, respectively. Results Animal serum ALT in high dose group of Artemisia capillaris Thumb flavones extract was (2659.8±923.8) nmol/(s·L). It was significantly lower when compared with the model group (6274.3±2018.3) nmol/(s·L). Serum ALT activity decreased with increasing doses of Artemisia capillaris Thumb flavones extract. Serum AST had same tendency as serum ALT. Compared with model group, concentration of total protein and albumin increased in the group of Artemisia capillaris Thumb flavones extract. Liver tissue pathology score reduced to varying degrees (P<0.01). The score in high dose group was 1.92±0.79 and it was much lower than that in model group (3.86±0.43). In addition, Artemisia capillaris Thumb flavones extract can also reduce the liver hydroxyproline content and inhibit liver fibrosis. Conclusions The total flavones of Artemisia capillaris Thumb are effective in protecting the chronic liver injury induced by CCl4 in rats.
Yibin Fenga, Ning Wang, Xingshen, et al. Hepatoprotective effect and its possible mechanism of Coptidis rhizoma aqueous extract on carbon tetrachloride-induced chronic liver hepatotoxicity in rats[J]. J Ethnopharmacol, 2011, 138 (3): 683-690.
Chen X L, Qi Y P. Changes in serum enzyme activity and liver histology of liver-damaged mice induced by tetrachloromethane[J]. Chin J Veterinary Med, 2011, 47(1):39-41.
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Yibin Fenga, Ning Wang, Xingshen, et al. Hepatoprotective effect and its possible mechanism of Coptidis rhizoma aqueous extract on carbon tetrachloride-induced chronic liver hepatotoxicity in rats[J]. J Ethnopharmacol, 2011, 138 (3): 683-690.
Chen X L, Qi Y P. Changes in serum enzyme activity and liver histology of liver-damaged mice induced by tetrachloromethane[J]. Chin J Veterinary Med, 2011, 47(1):39-41.
2015, Vol. 26 
