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| The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 5,7-dihydroxy-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-6-methoxy-4H-chromen-4-one, the main component in Iris tectorum which has been used as a folk proven medicine for several centuries to treat some hepatic ailments in China, on chemical-induced liver fibrosis in rats and its possible mechanism. Liver fibrosis was induced in rats by carbon tetrachloride, plus a diet of fat, cholesterol and alcohol in the drinking water. 5,7-dihydroxy-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-6-methoxy-4H-chromen-4-one treatment significantly blocked the increase of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), hyaluronate (HA), laminin (LN) and procollagen III N-termimal peptide (PIIIP) contents in serum and collagen contents in liver caused by chemical-induced liver fibrosis. Chemical-induced liver fibrosis led to the drop of serum albumin concentration and the ratio of albumin and globulin (A/G), and 5,7-dihydroxy-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-6-methoxy-4H-chromen-4-one made a slight increase except tectorigenin at 30 mg/kg making a remarkable increase. Tectorigenin could also remarkably block the increase of liver lipid peroxidation (LPO) production and the decrease of liver superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities caused by liver fibrosis. Furthermore tectorigenin shows no acute toxicity. In conclusion, 5,7-dihydroxy-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-6-methoxy-4H-chromen-4-one can effectively reverse chemically induced liver fibrosis in rats and it could be developed as a liver fibrosis therapeutic drug. The therapeutic effect of 5,7-dihydroxy-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-6-methoxy-4H-chromen-4-one on chemical-induced liver fibrosis in rats appears to be due, at least in part, to its antioxidant properties. These data also support the folkloric uses of I. tectorum in the treatment of hepatic diseases including hepatic fibrosis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. |
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| Keywords:5,7-dihydroxy-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-6-methoxy-4H-chromen-4-one; Iris tectorum; liver fibrosis; carbon tetrachloride; antioxidant |
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