Preventive and therapeutic effects of Cichorium glandulolsum extract on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis in rats

Objective To investigate the effects of Cichorium glandulolsum extract(CGE) on liver fibrosis induced by chronic hepatic injury.Methods Wistar rats were randomizedly divided into six groups:CGE(50,100,and 150 mg/kg) treatment groups,colchicine(Colc,0.5 mg/kg) treatment group,model group,and normal control group.Rats were sc injected with carbon tetrachloride(CCl4) two times a week to induce liver fibrosis as well as ig administration of CGE or Colc.After 60 d,the levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),total protein(TP),albumin(ALB) in serum and malondialdehyde(MDA),glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px),hydroxyproline(Hyp) in liver tissue were determined,and the liver histological changes were investigated by pathological examination.Results Compared with the model group,CGE significantly reduced the levels of ALT and AST in serum(P0.01),and decreased MDA and Hyp levels in liver tissue(P0.01) while TP,ALB,and GSH-Px were significantly elevated(P0.05,0.01).Pathological examination revealed that CGE had the therapeutical effect on the experimental liver fibrosis.Conclusion CGE has the better effects on protecting hepatocyte,relieving liver injury,and against liver fibrosis.