Puerarin alleviates liver fibrosis via inhibition of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway in thioacetamide‑induced hepatic fibrosis in rats

Li,Xiuqing; Zhang,Hui; Pan,Lijuan; Zou,Haiou; Miao,Xiaonan; Cheng,Jing; Wu,Youshan

doi:10.3892/etm.2019.7534

Puerarin alleviates liver fibrosis via inhibition of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway in thioacetamide‑induced hepatic fibrosis in rats

Authors:
- Xiuqing Li
- Hui Zhang
- Lijuan Pan
- Haiou Zou
- Xiaonan Miao
- Jing Cheng
- Youshan Wu
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Affiliations: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Lianyungang Oriental Hospital, Lianyungang, Jiangsu 222042, P.R. China, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Second Hospital of Lianyungang, Lianyungang, Jiangsu 222023, P.R. China
Published online on: April 30, 2019 https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2019.7534
Pages: 133-138

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Abstract

Liver fibrosis is a complex pathological process and an early step in the progression of liver cirrhosis, which can eventually develop into hepatocellular carcinoma. Currently, there is no effective treatment for liver fibrosis. Puerarin is a traditional Chinese herb, which is commonly used in the treatment of various diseases. In addition, it is also believed to have a therapeutic effect in liver fibrosis. However, whether puerarin reduces liver fibrosis via the ERK1/2 signaling pathway to inhibit the activation of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) and excessive collagen deposition in liver fibrosis remains unknown. The aim of the current study was to establish a liver fibrosis in vivo model by intraperitoneal injection of thioacetamide (TAA) and investigate the effect of puerarin in the treatment of liver fibrosis. Hematoxylin and eosin and Van Gieson's staining were used to examine histopathological changes associated with liver fibrosis. Liver hydroxyproline content was examined to determine the total amount of collagen in the liver. The relative protein expression levels of transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1), α‑smooth muscle actin (α‑SMA), collagen type I, ﬁbronectin, ERK1/2 and p‑ERK1/2 were determined by western blot analysis. In the TAA group, histopathological changes and collagen fiber content in rat liver tissue samples were significantly increased compared with the control group (P<0.05). In addition, treatment with puerarin significantly decreased histopathological changes and collagen fiber content in rat liver tissue samples (P<0.05). The relative protein expression levels of TGFβ1, α‑SMA, collagen type I, ﬁbronectin and p‑ERK1/2 were significantly upregulated in the TAA group compared with the control group (P<0.05), whereas puerarin treatment reversed these changes. These ﬁndings suggest that treatment with puerarin may reduce HSC activation and alleviate extracellular matrix protein expression levels by inhibiting the TGF‑β/ERK1/2 pathway in liver fibrosis.

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