Protective effect of Rhus chinensis Mill. extract against liver cirrhosis in rats

• Published in: Tropical journal of pharmaceutical research 2021-02, Vol.20 (2), p.365-368
• Main Authors: Pan, Zirong, Cheng, Qiang, Chen, Heyan, Lin, Longhai, Liao, Weijia, Guo, Donglai, Zhuang, Jianmin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1596-5996; 1596-9827
• DOI: 10.4314/tjpr.v20i2.21

Purpose: To study the effect of Rhus chinensis Mill. extract (RCME) on diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced liver cirrhosis in rats. Methods: RCME was obtained by extracting the dried Rhus chinensis Mill. in water. Liver cirrhosis rat model was prepared by injecting with DEN once a week for 8 weeks. After 8th-week of RCME treatment, biochemical index and oxidative stress were determined in DEN-induced liver cirrhosis in rats. Results: Compared with model group, plasma concentrations of alanine transaminase (ALT, 125.3 ± 4.1 U/L) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST, 152.4 ± 3.5 U/L) decreased significantly (p < 0.01) in the 8th week. Rhus chinensis Mill. extract (RCME) significantly decreased malondialdehyde (MDA, 0.18 ± 0.02 umol/L) and superoxide dismutase (SOD, 0.76 ± 0.05 U/mg protein) in DEN-induced liver cirrhosis in rats (p < 0.01) when compared with model group. Conclusion: RCME protects against diethylnitrosamine-induced liver cirrhosis in rats. However, further investigations are required to ascertain the plant extract’s suitability for the clinical management of liver cirrhosis.