Aster tataricus Linn., Suppresses Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation and Protects Against Thioacetamide-induced Liver Fibrosis in Rats

Abstract

Kim et al.: Antihepatofibrotic Effect of Aster tataricusAster tataricus Linn., (Asteraceae), an oriental and nutrient-potential herb is used in Asian countries for various health benefits. The present study focused on the protective effects of Aster tataricus against liver fibrosis in cellular and an experimental rat model. Cell cytotoxicity, cell cycle and apoptosis functions were analyzed using hepatic stellate cell lines following MTT assay, flow cytometry, and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining methods. For in vivo evaluation, thioacetamide-induced hepatofibrosis rat model was established. Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups of 10 each (control, thioacetamide, thioacetamide with Aster tataricus extract 100 and 500 mg/kg and silymarin 50 mg/kg groups, respectively). Fibrosis was induced by thioacetamide treatment (200 mg/kg, ip) 3 times per week for 13 weeks except for the control group. Aster tataricus extract (100 and 500 mg/kg), and silymarin was administrated orally to each group 6 times a week from week 7 to 13 and various fibrosis-related parameters were estimated using real-time polymerase chain reaction using TRIzol Plus RNA purification Kit and a spectrophotometer. Results indicated that hepatic stellate cells treated with Aster tataricus extract (0.5 mg/ml) and silymarin (0.05 mg/ml) significantly (p<0.05) induced apoptosis (19.04 and 24.82 %, respectively) compared to the control group (9.78 %). Moreover, rat primary hepatic stellate cells showed morphological changes and degradation of collagen and fibronectin when treated with 0.5 mg/kg of Aster tataricus extract. In vivo evaluation Aster tataricus extract at concentrations of 100 and 500 mg/mlattenuated the increased serum levels of alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase and hydroxyproline and restored the decreased glutathione levels significantly in thioacetamide induced fibrotic rats (p<0.05). The altered histopathology in thioacetamide-induced liver tissues and changes in fibrosis-related gene expression (TGF-β, α-SMA and Col1α1) were also restored by Aster tataricus extract treatment. In conclusion, Aster tataricus can be developed as a potential therapeutic agent in the treatment of liver fibrosis.