Protective Effects Of Ethanol Extract Of Acanthus Ilicifolius (EEA) On Hepatic Fibrosis In Rats

Objective:1.The ethanol extract of Acanthus ilicifolius(EEA)from was prepared and its acute toxicity in mice was measured.2.The protective effects of EEA on hepatic fibrosis in rats were observed.Methods:1.The ethanol extract of Acanthus ilicifolius(EEA)was prepared by 75% alcohol.The toxic profiles were observed in mice and the LD₅₀was measured by Bliss method.2.The hepatic fibrosis(HF)models were made by subcutaneous injection of 40%CCl₄ vegetable oil solution and intraperitoneal injection of pig serum, and the rats were randomized into four groups:model control group, Colchicine(COL)group,EEA low dosage(EEA-L)group,and EEA high dosage(EEA-H)group.Rats which were not injected CCl₄ or pig serum were used as control group.2 rats from CCl₄-treated group,5 rats from pig serum-treated group,and the corresponding rats from the control group were sacrificed randomly to obtain the livers.The pathological sections stained by HE(hematoxylin and eosin)of livers were prepared to decide whether the HF model was reproduced.Drugs were administered intragastrically for 4 weeks.The behavioral profiles including the changes of body weight of the rats were observed during administration.4 weeks later,all rats were sacrificed,the contents of ALT, AST,TP,ALB,SOD,MDA,LN,HA,and A/G in serum samples were detected.Liver index of each rat was measured.The morphological changes of the liver tissues were observed under microscope after HE staining.Results:1.1200g of EEA were prepared form 28kg of Acanthus ilicifolius.The LD₅₀in mice was 20.04g/kg(467.50g/kg crude drug),its 95%confidence limit was 17.66～22.74g/kg(412.01g/kg～530.53g/kg crude drug).2.The general state of health of the rats was abnormal when 40%CCl₄ vegetable oil solution was injected subcutaneously.Compared with control group,the increase of body weight was inhibited,levels of ALT,AST,MDA, HA and LN in the model control group were increased markedly,levels of TP,ALB,and SOD were markedly reduced(P＜0.01),the given pathologic scores and the liver index were also increased.Compared with model group, these changes in COL-,EEA-treated groups were all improved(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).3.The general state of health and the body weight of the rats were not changed when pig serum was injected to the rats.Compared with control group,levels of MDA,HA and LN in the model control group were increased markedly,levels of TP,ALB,and SOD were markedly reduced(P＜0.01),the given pathologic scores were increased.Compared with model group,these changes in COL-,EEA-treated groups were all improved(P＜0.05 or p＜0.01). The results showed that levels of ALT,AST,TP,ALB and liver index in model group were not changed markedly,compared with control group.Conclusion:Our results suggest that EEA has anti-hepaticfibrosis effects.