Effects and mechanisms of ziqi ruangan decoction on hepatic fibrosis.

ABSTRACT

To investigate effect and mechanism of Ziqi Ruangan Decoction (ZQRGD) on hepatic fibrosis in rats. Rats were randomly assigned to blank group, model group, colchicine group, ZQRGD high-dose group, ZQRGD middle-dose group, and ZQRGD low-dose group. All groups except group A were intraperitoneally injected with 40% CCl4/olive oil for 8 weeks; group C was then given intragastric colchicine administration. Groups D, E, and F were intragastrically dosed with ZQRGD. Compared with the colchicine group, the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of each dose group of ZQRGD significantly increased. TNF-α and IL-6 concentration significantly decreased in each drug intervention group, while these significantly decreased in the high-dose and medium-dose ZQRGD groups. The expression of α-SMA and collagen I significantly decreased in the drug treatment group compared with the model group, as did the expression of PI3K, AKT, and mTOR. Ziqi Ruangan Decoction had a favorable anti-liver fibrosis effect and the mechanism is related to anti-oxidative stress, anti-inflammation, the inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, and the inhibition of hepatic stellate cell activation.