Honokiol protects against carbon tetrachloride induced liver damage in the rat

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the possible hepato-protective effects of honokiol against liver damage and cirrhosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) in the rat. Rats were treated acutely, or chronically with CCl(4) at 5 day intervals (0.06 mL/100 g body weight, administered as 50% vol/vol solution in liquid paraffin) by gavage, in combination with phenobarbitone in drinking water (0.5 g/L for 7 days prior to, and during CCl(4) treatment) to induce liver damage. Some were also co-treated with 0.1 mg/kg or 0.03 mg/kg honokiol (i.p.) or with appropriate vehicle. In vivo measurement of the liver sinusoidal area was performed using confocal microscopy following i.v. fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) dextran. Liver histology and function tests were performed, and liver and body weights were measured. Confocal microscopy showed that acute and chronic CCl(4) treatment significantly reduced the sinusoidal area. Honokiol (0.1 mg/kg, but not 0.03 mg/kg) partially reversed the decrease in the sinusoidal area after acute or chronic treatments with CCl(4). Acute and chronic CCl(4) treatment produced significant histological liver damage. Honokiol (0.1 mg/kg) significantly reduced the histological damage caused by chronic treatment. Chronic treatment with CCl(4) caused a significant increase in the bilirubin level that was not observed following the high dose of honokiol (0.1 mg/kg). In conclusion, this study showed that honokiol exhibits potent hepato-protective effects in rats treated with CCl(4).

Three-Dimensional Imaging of Hepatic Sinusoids in Mice Using Synchrotron Radiation Micro-Computed Tomography

“…Moreover, pericentral sinusoids are scattered in the necrotic region [10,11]. Our results of 3D volume rendering image were identical to the previous studies in that the volume and the vessel connectivity of the pericentral sinusoid were significantly reduced and disconnected, respectively [9,10]. Because our model was acute CCl 4 injury model, we were not able to observe the fibrotic and cirrhotic region of the liver, observed in chronic CCl 4 injury model [8,32].…”

“…Therefore, when OsO 4 is used as an X-ray contrast agent, the absorption contrast of necrotic regions (pericentral sinusoids) should be higher than that of non-necrotic regions (periportal sinusoids) in acute CCl 4 -injured liver. Recent studies on structural alteration of hepatic sinusoid in acute CCl 4 model have been conducted by light microscopy, confocal laser microscopy, and intravital fluorescence microscopy [9–11,26]. After acute treatment with CCl 4 , sinusoidal diameter was significantly smaller than that in controls and sinusoidal area was significantly reduced in CCl 4 -treated mice [9,26].…”

“…Recent studies on structural alteration of hepatic sinusoid in acute CCl 4 model have been conducted by light microscopy, confocal laser microscopy, and intravital fluorescence microscopy [9–11,26]. After acute treatment with CCl 4 , sinusoidal diameter was significantly smaller than that in controls and sinusoidal area was significantly reduced in CCl 4 -treated mice [9,26]. Moreover, pericentral sinusoids are scattered in the necrotic region [10,11].…”

“…However, under pathological conditions, morphological changes in the sinusoids impair hepatic microcirculation and induce functional damage [8–12]. Recently, structural alterations such as the diameter, surface area, and fenestrae of the sinusoids have been reported in acute and chronic liver injury and liver cancer [8,9,12]. However, there still lack quantitative nondestructive imaging studies on normal and diseased liver models to reveal the structural difference.…”

Cytoprotective Effects of KIOM-79 on Streptozotocin Induced Cell Damage by Inhibiting ERK and AP-1

“…6,7) A combination of plant extracts (KIOM-79) was prepared from Magnolia officinalis, Pueraria lobata, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, and Euphorbia pekinensis. Magnolia officinalis reportedly has antimutagenic, 8) hepatocytic protective, 9,10) neuroprotective, 11) and anti-inflammatory effects. 12) Pueraria lobata reportedly has antimutagenic, antidiabetic and antioxidant effects.…”