Effects of traditional Chinese medicine Dan-shao-hua-xian capsule on expression of miR-200s in rat fibrotic livers

AIM: To investigate the effect of Dan-shao-hua-xian(DSHX) capsule on the expression of the family of microRNA-200(miR-200s) in rat fibrotic livers.METHODS: Forty male Wistar rats weighing 180 g to 220 g were divided into 5 groups(control group,two model groups and two interference groups).The rats in model groups and interference groups were induced by hypodermic injection of CCl4 for 4 weeks and 8 weeks.The rats in interference groups were also treated with DSHX capsule(0.5 g/kg) once daily for 4 weeks and 8 weeks at the same time.The liver index and serum activity of ALT and AST were analyzed.The liver fibrosis was observed under microscope.Additionally,the expression of miR-200a,-200b,-200c,-141 and-429 was determined by quantitative real-time PCR.RESULTS: The liver index,and serum activity of ALT and AST in model groups and 4-week interference group were obviously higher than those in normal control group.The apparent liver fibrosis was observed in 8-week model group.The expression of miR-200a,-200b,-200c,-141 and-429 in the liver of 8-week model groups was obviously higher than that in control group.CONCLUSION: In the process of liver fibrosis induced by CCl4,the obvious changes of miR-200s may play an important role in the development of liver fibrosis.The miR-200s might be the potential target that DSHX capsule inhibits the process of liver fibrosis.