BackgroundLiver fibrosis is a feature in the majority of chronic liver diseases and oxidative stress is considered to be its main pathogenic mechanism. Antioxidants including vitamin E, are effective in preventing liver fibrogenesis. Several plant-drived antioxidants, such as silymarin, baicalin, beicalein, quercetin, apigenin, were shown to interfere with liver fibrogenesis. The antioxidans above are polyphenols, flavonoids or structurally related compounds which are the main chemical components of Pomegranate peels and seeds, and the antioxidant activity of Pomegranate peels and seeds have been verified. Here we investigated whether the extracts of pomegranate peels (EPP) and seeds (EPS) have preventive efficacy on liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats and explored its possible mechanisms.MethodsThe animal model was established by injection with 50 % CCl4 subcutaneously in male wistar rats twice a week for four weeks. Meanwhile, EPP and EPS were administered orally every day for 4 weeks, respectively. The protective effects of EPP and EPS on biochemical metabolic parameters, liver function, oxidative markers, activities of antioxidant enzymes and liver fibrosis were determined in CCl4-induced liver toxicity in rats.ResultsCompared with the sham group, the liver function was worse in CCl4 group, manifested as increased levels of serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and total bilirubin. EPP and EPS treatment significantly ameliorated these effects of CCl4. EPP and EPS attenuated CCl4–induced increase in the levels of TGF-β1, hydroxyproline, hyaluronic acid laminin and procollagen type III. They also restored the decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities and inhibited the formation of lipid peroxidized products in rats treated with CCl4.ConclusionThe EPP and EPS have protective effects against liver fibrosis induced by CCl4, and its mechanisms might be associated with their antioxidant activity, the ability of decreasing the level of TGF-β1 and inhibition of collagen synthesis.

Strategy, Management and Health PolicyPreclinical Research Ilex hainanensis Merr. leaves are widely used for their diuretic, antihypertensive, antilipemic, and anti‐inflammatory properties. The main chemical components in these leaves are flavonoids. To evaluate whether the total extract (TE) from I. hainanensis Merr. may improve hepatic steatosis and further investigate the preventive effects of the total flavonoid extract (TFE) from I. hainanensis Merr. on hepatic steatosis, rats were given either a high‐fat diet alone or the same diet plus the TE or the TFE for 4 weeks. TE and TFE improved liver histology with a reduction in the levels of serum alanine aminotransferase and the serum aspartate aminotransferase as well as a decrease in excess accumulated lipids in the serum and liver. TE and TFE decreased the levels of fasting serum glucose, fasting serum insulin, insulin resistance index, and tumor necrosis factor‐α levels in rats fed a high‐fat diet while improving the insulin sensitivity index. These benefits were associated with an increase in superoxide dismutase activity and a decrease in malondialdehyde in the livers of rats fed a high‐fat diet. In conclusion, TE and TFE exert protective effects against hepatic steatosis in rats that are fed a high‐fat diet, possibly through its ability to regulate lipid metabolism and antioxidants, enhance insulin sensitivity, and improve the release of adipocytokines.