Herbal supplement attenuation of cardiac fibrosis in rats with CCl 4 -induced liver cirrhosis

Hsiao Chuan Chang, Yung Wei Chiu, Yueh Min Lin, Ray Jade Chen, James A. Lin, Fuu Jen Tsai, Chang Hai Tsai, Yu Chun Kuo, Jer Yuh Liu, Chih Yang Huang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Previously we found carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 ) induced cirrhosis associated cardiac hypertrophy and apoptosis. The purpose of this study is to determine whether further CCl4 treatment would induce cardiac cell fibrosis. The cardiac tissues were analyzed by H&E. histological staining, Trichrome Masson staining and Western blotting. The results showed that the CCl 4 -treated-only group exhibits more trichrome staining, meaning that more fibrosis is present. Moreover, CCl 4 could further induce cardiac-fibrosis via TGF-β-p-Smad2/3-CTGF pathway. However, our data showed that the CCl 4 -indcued cardiac abnormalities were attenuated by Ocimum gratissimum extract (OGE) and silymarin cotreatments. In conclusion, our results indicated that the OGE and silymarin may be a potential traditional herb for the protection of cardiac tissues from the CCl 4 induced cirrhosis associated cardiac fibrosis through modulating the TGF-β signaling pathway.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)41-47
Number of pages7
JournalChinese Journal of Physiology
Volume57
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014

Keywords

  • Cardiac fibrosis
  • Ocimum gratissimum
  • Silymarin
  • TGF-β

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physiology
  • Physiology (medical)

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