Emodin on hepatic fibrosis in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate effect of emodin on hepatic fibrosis in rats. METHODS: The rat hepatic fibrosis model was induced by the subcutaneous injection of 40% CCl4 (twice a week for 6 weeks) dissolved in olive oil. The emodin-treated rats were treated with low-dose, mediate-dose and high-dose emodin (20, 40 and 80 mg/kg body weight, once a day for 42 days) dissolved in 0.5% sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), except receiving CCl4. Control group received only olive oil and 0.5% CMC. Liver functions were determined by standard procedure. Serum hyaluronic acid and laminin were determined by radioimmunoassay. Liver hydroxyprolines were determined. Histopathological changes were examined by optical microscopy. RESULTS: Compared with model group, the emodin-treated rats showed (1) liver functions were improved, alanine transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) were obviously reduced, and total protein (TP) and albumin (ALB) were significantly increased; (2) serum hyaluronic acid and laminin were markedly reduced; (3) liver hydroxyproline was significantly decreased; (4) the degrees of fibrosis were reduced. The changes of parameters mentioned above were significant (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Emodin has effect on hepatic fibrosis in rats. The hepatoprotective of emodin may be one of mechanisms for liver fibrosis.