The inhibitory efefcts of dihydroartemisinin on liver fibrosis in experiment al mice

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1002-7386.2016.06.006

Abstract：Objective To investigate the inhibitory effects and action mechanism of dihydroartemisinin ( DHA) on liver fibrosis induced by bile duct ligation in experimental mice .Methods Fifty C57BL-6 mice were randomly divided into sham-operation group ( n =10),model group ( n =20) and treatment group ( n =20).The animal models with hepatic fibrosis were established by bile duct ligation ,then,on the third week after bile duct ligation , the mice in treatment group were given DHA 20μg/g by gavage,once a day for 12 days.However the mice in sham-operation group were given equal dose of DMSO physiological saline by gavage , once a day for 12 days.The histopathological changes were observed by HE and sirius red staining for three groups ,moreover , the expression levels of typeⅠcollagen and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA ) were detected by Western Blot .Results The results by HE and sirius red staining demonstrated that the animal models with hepatic fibrosis were successfully established in experimental mice .The focal cellular necrosis and fibrous tissue hyperplasia were found in liver of mice of model group , furthermore , the expression levels of type I collagen and α-SMA were obviously increased,there were significant differences between model group and sham -operation group ( P <0.05).After treatment by DHA in treatment group ,the fibrous tissue hyperplasia in liver was improved and the expression levels of type I collagen andα-SMA were significantly decreased , as compared with those in model group ( P<0.05).Conclusion DHA has the effects of anti-fibrosis of liver tissues, thus, it suggests that DHA can be regarded as a potential therapeutic drug for liver fibrosis .