Effects of baicalin combined with interleukin-7 on hepatic histopathology in a mouse model of liver fibrosis

LIU Cui-yun; WU Yu-chan; AI Mao-xing; LAN Yu; SONG Shu-fen; SUN Shui-lin

doi:10.13820/j.cnki.gdyx.20225507

Abstract：Objective To observe the pathological effect of baicalin combined with interleukin-7(IL-7)on liver tissue in mice with hepatic fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride(CC14).Methods A liver fibrosis model was induced in mice using CCL4.Fifty Kunming mice were randomly divided into five groups:model group,baicalin group,baicalin+IL-7 group,IL-7 group,and control group.From the third week of modeling,the intervention groups re-ceived either baicalin(25 mg twice daily by gavage),IL-7(10 μg intramuscularly every other day),or both.At the end of week 6,liver tissue was collected,and histological changes were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin(HE)stai-ning,reticular fiber staining,and Masson staining.Hepatocyte apoptosis was evaluated by TUNEL assay,and inflamma-tion activity and fibrosis scores were assessed using the Ishak scoring system.Results A successful mouse model of liver fibrosis was established.Histopathological analysis showed that,compared to the model group,all intervention groups ex-hibited reduced hepatic inflammation and fibrosis,with the baicalin+IL-7 group demonstrating more significant im-provement than the baicalin or IL-7 monotherapy groups.Significant differences in hepatic inflammation and fibrosis were observed between the baicalin+IL-7 group and the model group(P＜0.05).Additionally,hepatocyte apoptosis was reduced in the intervention groups compared to the model group,with a significant decrease observed in the baicalin+IL-7 group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Baicalin combined with IL-7 can improve hepatic inflammation and inhibit fibro-sis progression in the CCl4-induced liver fibrosis model in mice,with potential synergistic effects.