Effects of total flavone from Litchi chinensis Sonn on the expression of NF-κB p65 and hepatic fibrosis in rats

Objective To investigate the effects of total flavone from Litchi chinensis Sonn(TFL) on the expression of NF-κB and hepatic fibrosis in rats. Methods The rat model of hepatic fibrosis was established by intraperitoneal injection of dimethylnitrosamine.TFL,colchicine and saline lavage were given to the subjects in the TFL,model and colchicine groups,respectively.Serum ALT and AST were measured at 6th week,and the pathological observation was also performed on left liver lobes with HE straining while S-P immunohistochemical staining using polyclonal antibodies against NF-κB was applied in assessment of NF-κB. Results The serum ALT and AST in TFL and colchicine groups were significantly lower than that in model group(P0.05).Meanwhile,significant improvement of hepatic fibrosis and suppression of in NF-κB were revealed in TFL group than that in model group(P0.05). Conclusion TEL alleviates the hepatic fibrosis in rats,which may involve the inhibition of NF-κB.