Effect of Ginkgo biloba extract on tissue inhibitor-2 of metalloproteinase in CCl_4-induced liver damage in rats

Objective To assess the effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (GbE) on the development and reversibility of lives fibrosis in rats and to determine whether GbE has the effect of antifibrogenesis. Methods The model of CCl4-induced liver fibrosis was established in rats and treated with GbE at the same time or after confirmation of liver fibrosis. Liver tissue samples were used for histopathological examinations (HE, Masson and Gordon-Sweet staining) and RT-PCR for expression of tissue inhibitor-2 of metalloproteinase. Blood samples were collected for determination of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST). The expression of αSMA in liver samples was also examined with immunohistochemistry.Results Liver fibrosis and expression of αSMA in GbE group was significantly decreased(P0.05).The level of ALT, AST, and TIMP-2 was significantly decrease in GbE group(P0.01).Conclusion GbE has protective effect on liver injury and can inhibit liver fibrosis and decrease liver fibrosis induced by CCl4 in rats. The mechanisms possibly contribute to effect of inhibiting TIMP-2 and suppressing the activation promoting the apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells (HSC).