Search JIM Advanced Search

Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine ›› 2010, Vol. 8 ›› Issue (1): 49-55.doi: 10.3736/jcim20100110

• Original Experimental Research • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Taohe Chengqi Tang ameliorates acute liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats

 Tung-yuan Laia,b, Yi-jiun Wengc, Wei-wen Kuod, Li-mien Chene, Yun-ting Chungf, Yueh-min Linh, Fuu-jen Tsaii,Chun-hsin Leej, Yee-mun Choonga, Eric Y. C Laik, Chih-yang Huangc,j,l, Yu-lan Yehg,j,l   

  1. a School of Post-Baccalaureate Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine,China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan, China
    b Department of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404, Taiwan, China
    c Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan, China
    d Department of Biological Science and Technology, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan, China
    e Department of Internal Medicine, Armed Forces Taichung General Hospital, Taichung 411, Taiwan, China
    f Emergency Department, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404, Taiwan, China
    g Department of Pathology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua 500, Taiwan, China
    h Department of Pediatrics, Medical Research and Medical Genetics, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404, Taiwan, China
    i Center for Cardiovascular Diseases of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences,Beijing 100091, China
    j Graduate Institute of Chinese Medical Science, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan, China
    k Hope-Sun Cancer Center, Taichung Hospital, Taichung 403, Taiwan, China
    l Department of Health and Nutrition Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung 413, Taiwan, China
  • Received:2009-07-27 Accepted:2009-10-15 Online:2010-01-20 Published:2010-01-15
  • Contact: Yu-lan Yeh E-mail:cyhuang@mail.cmu.edu.tw

Objective

To clarify the efficacy of Taohe Chengqi Tang (THCQT), a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, in protecting liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats.
Methods

Thirty male Wistar rats were divided into normal control group, untreated group, low-dose THCQT group (receiving 0.3 g/kg of THCQT), high-dose THCQT group (receiving 0.5 g/kg of THCQT), and positive control group (receiving silymarin 25 mg/kg). All testing substances were orally administered 1 hour before the intraperitoneal injection of CCl4 (1.5 mL/kg). Twenty-four hours after CCl4 injection, the rats were sacrificed to observe liver histopathological changes, and to evaluate activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and lipid peroxidation (LPO) and glutathione (GSH) levels in liver tissues.
Results

CCl4 injection elevated the serum AST and ALT activities, but THCQT significantly reversed this effect. The increase of hepatic LPO by CCl4 was markedly reduced by THCQT. Also, this herbal mixture increased hepatic GSH in the rats. In histopathology analysis, THCQT decreased the fatty accumulation, necrosis and lymphocyte infiltration. The in vitro study in rat brain showed that LPO induced by Fe 2+/ascorbic acid was dose-dependently reduced by THCQT. According to the biochemical and morphological data, THCQT could protect the liver from CCl4-induced injuries.
Conclusion

THCQT seems helpful for protection of liver damage induced by chemicals depending on its anti-oxidant-like function, and THCQT is more effective than silymarin.

Key words: Traditional Chinese medicine, Carbon tetrachloride, Anti-oxidants, Taohe Chengqi Tang, Rats

Figure 1

Inhibitory effect of THCQT on FeCl2-ascorbic acidinduced LPO in the homogenates of brain isolated from rats Values ($\bar{x}s$) were obtained from each group of 5 animals."

Figure 2

Effects of THCQT and silymarin on activities of serum AST and ALT and levels of LPO and GSH in isolated liver tissues of CCl4-injected rats Activities of serum AST (A) and ALT (B) and levels of LPO (C) and GSH (D) in liver tissues were measured 24 hours after CCl4 injection. THCQT or silymarin (25 mg/kg) was administered 1 hour before the injection. 1: Normal control group; 2: Untreated group; 3: 0.3 g/kg THCQT group; 4: 0.5 g/kg THCQT group; 5: Silymarin group. Values ($\bar{x}s$) were obtained from each group of 6 animals. **P<0.01, vs normal control group; △P<0.05, vs untreated group."

Figure 3

Microscopic evaluation of the isolated livers of normal control rat or CCl4-injected rats (HE staining, ×200) Microscopic evaluation of the effects of THCQT on CCl4-induced acute hepatotoxicity. (A) Normal control group; (B) Untreated group (CCl4 alone): Diffuse areas of necrosis, sinusoidal congestion, broad infiltration of lymphocytes and Kupffer cells around the central vein, fatty change, loss of cell boundaries and ballooning degeneration of liver damage are observed; (C) THCQT (0.5 g/kg) group; (D) Silymarin (25 g/kg) group."

[1] Poli G . Liver damage due to free radicals[J]. Br Med Bull, 1993,49(3):604-620
[2] Chen Q. Pharmacology and application of Chinese herbs[M]. Taipei: SMC Publishing Inc, 1989: 451
陈奇 . 中药名方药理与应用[M]. 台北: 南天书局, 1989: 451
[3] Brent JA, Rumack BH . Role of free radicals in toxic hepatic injury Ⅱ.Are free radicals the cause of toxin-induced liver injury[J]. Clin Toxicol, 1993,31(1):173-196
[4] Weber LW, Boll M, Stampfl A . Hepatotoxicity and mechanism of action of haloalkanes[J]. carbon tetrachloride as a toxicological model. Crit Rev Toxicol, 2003,33(2):105-136
[5] Kitajima S, Ogawa N, Ariyoshi T . Protective effect of Trionyx carpax on CCl4-induced hepatic injury is mediated by uracil[J]. Res Comm Chem Pathol Pharmacol, 1994,84(2):203-222
[6] Ohta Y, Sasaki E, Nishida K, Kobayashi T, Nagata M, Ishiguro I . Preventive effect of Dai-saiko-to(Da-Chai-Hu-Tang) extract on disrupted hepatic active oxygen metabolism in rats with carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury[J]. Am J Chin Med, 1995,23(1):53-64
[7] Evans PH . Free radicals in brain metabolism and pathology[J]. Br Med Bull, 1993,49(3):577-587
[8] Reynolds ES, Ree HR . Liver parenchymal cell injury. Ⅶ. Membrane denaturation following carbon tetrachloride[J]. Lab Invest, 1971,25(3):269-278
[9] Ozer J, Ratner M, Shaw M, Bailey W, Schomaker S . The current state of serum biomarkers of hepatotoxi-city[J]. Toxicology, 2008,245(3):194-205
[10] Ohta S, Kumasaka M, Shinoda M . Effect of cysteamine on carbon tetrachloride induced hepatic injury in rats[J]. Yakugaku Zasshi, 1985,105(9):866-873
[11] Imaizumi Y, Katoh M, Sumimoto T, Kasai T . Effect of malotilate(diisopropyl 1,3-dithiol-2-ylidennmalonate) on the protein synjournal in rat liver[J]. Jpn J Pharmacol, 1982,32(2):369-375
[12] Labbe G, Descatoire V, Letteron P, Degott C, Tinel M, Larrey D, Carrion-Pavlov Y, Geneve J, Amouyal G, Pessayre D . The drug methoxsalen, a suicide substrate for cytochrome P450, decreases the metabolic activation, and prevents the hepatoxicity, of carbon tetrachloride in mice[J]. Biochem Pharmacol, 1987,36(6):907-914
[13] Itoh S, Gohara S, Matsuo S, Yamaba Y . Effects of calcium antagonist diltiazem on liver calcium content and necrosis of hepatocytes in rats following treatment with CCl4[J]. Res Commun Chem Pathol Pharmacol, 1988,60(1):133-136
[14] Ohkawa H, Ohishi N, Yagi K . Assay for lipid peroxides in animal tissues by thiobarbituric acid reaction[J]. Anal Biochem, 1979,95(2):351-358
[15] Lowry OH, Rosebrough NJ, Farr AL, Randall RJ . Protein measurement with the Folin phenol reagent[J]. J Biol Chem, 1951,193(1):265-275
[16] Ellman GL . Tissue sulfhydryl groups[J]. Arch Biochem Biophys, 1959,82(1):70-77
[17] Sedlak J, Lindsay RH . Estimation of total, protein-bound, and nonprotein sulfhydryl group in tissue with Ellman's reagent[J]. Anal Biochem, 1968,25(1):192-205
[18] Lee SH, Heo SI, Li L, Lee MJ, Wang MH . Antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities of Cirsium setidens Nakai against CCl4-induced liver damage[J]. Am J Chin Med, 2008,36(1):107-114
[19] Ye X, Feng Y, Tong Y, Ng KM, Tsao S, Lau GK, Sze C, Zhang Y, Tang J, Shen J, Kobayashi S . Hepatoprotective effects of Coptidis rhizoma aqueous extract on carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver hepatotoxi-city in rats[J]. J Ethnopharmacol, 2009,124(1):130-136
[20] Lin HM, Tseng HC, Wang CJ, Lin JJ, Lo CW, Chou FP . Hepatoprotective effects of Solanum nigrum Linn extract against CCl4-iduced oxidative damage in rats[J]. Chem Biol Interact, 2008,171(3):283-293
[21] Gowri Shankar NL, Manavalan R, Venkappayya D, David Raj C . Hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of Commiphora berryi(Arn) Engl bark extract against CCl4-induced oxidative damage in rats[J]. Food Chem Toxicol, 2008,46(9):3182-3185
[22] Yadav NP, Pal A, Shanker K, Bawankule DU, Gupta AK, Darokar MP, Khanuja SP . Synergistic effect of silymarin and standardized extract of Phyllanthus amarus against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in Rattus norvegicus[J]. Phytomedicine, 2008,15(12):1053-1061
[23] Cheeseman KH, Slater TF . An introduction to free radical biochemistry[J]. Br Med Bull, 1993,49(3):481-493
[24] De Vries J, Hollinger MA. Cytotoxicity: molecular mechanisms of cell death. In: Niesink RJM, Toxic-plogy: principle and applications[M]. New York: CRC Press,1996,(): 289-313
[25] Ray G, Husain SA . Oxidants, antioxidants and carcinogenesis[J]. Indian J Exp Biol, 2002,40(11):1213-1232
[26] Janero DR . Malondialdehyde and thiobarbituric acid-reactivity as diagnostic indices of lipid peroxidation and peroxidative tissue injury[J]. Free Radic Biol Med, 1990,9(6):515-540
[27] Halliwell B, Gutteridge JMC. Free radicals in biology and medicine(2nd ed)[M]. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1989: 86-123
[28] Halliwell B, Gutteridge JM . Oxygen toxicity, oxygen radicals, transition metals and disease[J]. Biochem J, 1984,219(1):1-14
[29] Aust SD, Morehouse LA, Thomas CE . Role of metals in oxygen radical reactions[J]. J Free Radic Biol Med, 1985,1(1):3-25
[30] Cabré M, Camps J, Paternáin JL, Ferré N, Joven J . Time-course of changes in hepatic lipid peroxidation and glutathione metabolism in rats with carbon tetrachloride-induced cirrhosis[J]. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol, 2000,27(9):694-699
[31] Recknagel RO, Glende EA Jr . Carbon tetrachloride hepatotoxicity: an example of lethal cleavage[J]. CRC Crit Rev Toxicol, 1973,2(3):263-297
[32] Waller RL, Glende EA Jr, Recknagel RO . Carbon tetrachloride and bromotrichloromethane toxicity. Dual role of covalent binding of metabolic cleavage products and lipid peroxidation in depression of microsomal calcium sequestration[J]. Biochem Pharmacol, 1983,32(10):1613-1617
[33] Lowrey K, Glende EA Jr, Recknagel RO . Destruction of liver microsomal calcium pump activity by carbon tetrachloride and bromotrichloromethane[J]. Biochem Pharmacol, 1981,30(2):135-140
[34] Harisch G, Meyer W . Studies on tissue distribution of glutathione and on activities of glutathione-related enzymes after carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury[J]. Res Commun Chem Pathol Pharmacol, 1985,47(3):399-414
[35] Di Simplicio P, Mannervik B . Enzymes involved in glutathione metabolism in rats liver and blood after carbon tetrachloride intoxication[J]. Toxicol Lett, 1983,18(3):285-289
[36] Nakagawa K . Carbon tetrachloride-induced alterations in hepatic glutathione and ascorbic acid contents in mice fed a diet containing ascorbate esters[J]. Arch Toxicol, 1993,67(10):686-690
[1] Wan-jun Guo, Yi Wang, Yu Deng, Lin-yan Cheng, Xin Liu, Ruo-fan Xi, Sheng-jie Zhu, Xin-yi Feng, Liang Hua, Kan Ze, Jian-yong Zhu, Dong-jie Guo, Fu-lun Li. Therapeutic effects of the extract of Sancao Formula, a Chinese herbal compound, on imiquimod-induced psoriasis via cysteine-rich protein 61. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2022, 20(4): 376-384.
[2] Shang-jin Song, Xuan Liu, Qing Ji, Da-zhi Sun, Li-juan Xiu, Jing-yu Xu, Xiao-qiang Yue. Ziyin Huatan Recipe, a Chinese herbal compound, inhibits migration and invasion of gastric cancer by upregulating RUNX3 expression. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2022, 20(4): 355-364.
[3] Marisa Casal. Improving the health and treatment success rates of in vitro fertilization patients with traditional chinese medicine: need for more robust evidence and innovative approaches. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2022, 20(3): 187-192.
[4] Ning Guo, Fei Wu, Mei Wu, Yuan Wang, Qing Lang, Xiao Lin, Yi Feng. Progress in the design and quality control of placeboes for clinical trials of traditional Chinese medicine . Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2022, 20(3): 204-212.
[5] Yan-jun Lin, Kun-li Jiao, Bo Liu, Lu Fang, Shu Meng. Antiplatelet and myocardial protective effect of shexiang tongxin dropping pill in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2022, 20(2): 126-134.
[6] Jia-jia Li, Qing Liang, Guang-chun Sun. Traditional Chinese medicine for prevention and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: A focus on epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2021, 19(6): 469-477.
[7] Rui-jin Qiu, Min Li, Jia-yuan Hu, Jing Chen, Hong-cai Shang. Methods for development of a core outcome set for clinical trials integrating traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2021, 19(5): 389-394.
[8] Mao-xing Pan, Chui-yang Zheng, Yuan-jun Deng, Kai-rui Tang, Huan Nie, Ji-qian Xie, Dong-dong Liu, Gui-fang Tu, Qin-he Yang, Yu-pei Zhang. Hepatic protective effects of Shenling Baizhu powder, a herbal compound, against inflammatory damage via TLR4/NLRP3 signalling pathway in rats with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease . Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2021, 19(5): 428-438.
[9] Ning Zhang, Xiao-he Xiao. Integrative medicine in the era of cancer immunotherapy: Challenges and opportunities. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2021, 19(4): 291-294.
[10] Thomas Efferth, An-long Xu, Roxana Damiescu, Mita Banerjee, Norbert W. Paul, David Y.W. Lee. Can eastern wisdom resolve western epidemics? Traditional chinese medicine therapies and the opioid crisis. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2021, 19(4): 295-299.
[11] Si-qi Tang, Yun-liang Wang, Zi-ye Xie, Yang Zhang, Yi Guo, Kang-li Gao, Tang-you Mao, Chun-e Xie, Jun-xiang Li, Xiao-yan Gao. Serum metabolic profiling of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes in patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2021, 19(3): 274-281.
[12] Miao-yan Shi, Shi-qi Sun, Wei Zhang, Xing Zhang, Gui-hua Xu, Xuan Chen, Zi-jian Su, Xiu-ming Song, Lu-jiong Liu, Yi-bao Zhang, Yi-le Zhang, Meng Sun, Qi Chen, Yan Xue, Hua Lü, Wei-an Yuan, Xiao-rong Chen, Yun-fei Lu. Early therapeutic interventions of traditional Chinese medicine in COVID-19 patients: a retrospective cohort study. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2021, 19(3): 226-231.
[13] Shu-jun Wei, Qing-man He, Qing Zhang, Kang-hua Fu, Ruo-lan Li, Wei Peng, Yong-xiang Gao. Traditional Chinese medicine is a useful and promising alternative strategy for treatment of Sjogren's syndrome: A review. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2021, 19(3): 191-202.
[14] Yi Xia, Lu-shao-bo Shi, Jing-hui Chang, Hua-zhang Miao, Dong Wang. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on intention to use traditional Chinese medicine: A cross-sectional study based on the theory of planned behavior. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2021, 19(3): 219-225.
[15] Na Zhi, Qian Mo, Shuo Yang, Yuan-xing Qin, Hao Chen, Zeng-guang Wu, Cai-hong Lan, Jun Zhang, Yin-long Li. Treatment of pulmonary fibrosis in one convalescent patient with corona virus disease 2019 by oral traditional Chinese medicine decoction: A case report. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2021, 19(2): 185-190.
Viewed
Full text


Abstract

Cited

  Shared   
  Discussed   
[1] Dong Yang, Yong-ping Du, Qing Shen, Wei Chen, Yan Yu, Guang-lei Chen. Expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin in renal tubulointerstitium in patients with kidney collateral stasis. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2008, 6(1): 41-44
[2] Hai-feng Wei, Bai-liu Ya, Ling Zhao, Cui-fei Ye, Li Zhang, Lin Li. Evaluation of tongue manifestation of blood stasis syndrome and its relationship with blood rheological disorder in a rat model of transient brain ischemia. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2008, 6(1): 73-76
[3] Xi Lin, Jian-ping Liu. Herbal medicines for viral myocarditis. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2008, 6(1): 76
[4] Xi Lin, Jian-ping Liu. Tai chi for treating rheumatoid arthritis. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2008, 6(1): 82
[5] Liang-ping Hu, Hui Gao. Discrimination of errors in statistical analysis of medical papers published in the first issue of 2006 in Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2008, 6(1): 98-106
[6] Yan-bo Zhu , Qi Wang, Cheng-yu Wu, Guo-ming Pang, Jian-xiong Zhao, Shi-lin Shen, Zhong-yuan Xia , Xue Yan . Logistic regression analysis on relationships between traditional Chinese medicine constitutional types and overweight or obesity. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2010, 8(11): 1023-1035
[7] Wei Xu, Meng Shi, Jian-gang Liu, Cheng-long Wang . Collagen protein expressions in ischemic myocardium of rats with acute myocardial infarction and effects of qi-tonifying, yin-tonifying and blood-activating herbs and detoxifying and blood-activating herbs. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2010, 8(11): 1041-1047
[8] Tao Wang , Feng Qin. Effects of Chinese herbal medicine Xiaoyao Powder on monoamine neurotransmitters in hippocampus of rats with postpartum depression. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2010, 8(11): 1075-1079
[9] Ying Xu , Chang-chun Zeng , Xiu-yu Cai , Rong-ping Guo , Guang Nie , Ying Jin. Chromaticity and optical spectrum colorimetry of the tongue color in different syndromes of primary hepatic carcinoma. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2012, 10(11): 1263-1271
[10] Xiang-ying Mao , Qin Bian , Zi-yin Shen. Analysis of the osteogenetic effects exerted on mesenchymal stem cell strain C3H10T1/2 by icariin via MAPK signaling pathway in vitro. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2012, 10(11): 1272-1278