Post-treatment of Ganoderma lucidum reduced liver fibrosis induced by thioacetamide in mice.

The present study was aimed at assessing the effects of Ganoderma lucidum extract (GLE) on an established liver fibrosis model with reference to the previously reported hepatoprotective effect of GLE against CCl(4)-induced fibrosis in rats. Repeated administration of thioacetamide (TAA) for 12 weeks to mice induced liver fibrosis. Treatment with GLE after the induction of liver fibrosis decreased the hepatic hydroxyproline content and improved liver histology. RT-qPCR analysis showed that GLE treatment reduced the mRNA expression of collagen (alpha1)(I), smooth muscle alpha-actin, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 and metalloproteinase-13. In addition, the TAA-induced decrease in total collagenase activity was reversed by GLE treatment. In conclusion, oral administration of GLE reversed TAA-induced liver fibrosis, the mechanism of which might be related to the enhancement of collagenase activity.

Effect of Anoectochilus formosanus on fibrosis and regeneration of the liver in rats.

1. The present study examined the effects of an aqueous extract of Anoectochilus formosanus (AFE) on both hepatic fibrosis and regeneration in rats. 2. Fibrosis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) for 3 consecutive days per week for 4 weeks. 3. In DMN-treated rats, liver cirrhosis-associated complications, such as liver atrophy, low concentrations of serum albumin and the accumulation of hepatic collagen, were observed. The AFE protected the liver against DMN-induced fibrosis, as determined by morphological and biochemical observations. 4. In addition, AFE was administered to two-thirds hepatectomized normal and DMN-injured rats. Three and 5 days after hepatectomy, AFE increased the extent of liver weight regeneration and the number of S-phase cells in DMN-injured rats, but not in normal rats. 5. These results show that AFE seems to be useful in the repair of liver injury, improvement of fibrotic changes and promotion of liver regeneration.

Hypolipidemic effect of Glycine tomentella root extract in hamsters.

The influence of the aqueous crude extract of Glycine tomentella root (Leguminosae) on lipid metabolism was investigated in hyperlipidemic hamsters. It was found that the administration of the G. tomentella extract (GTE) leads to a decrease of high serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels induced by high-fat diet. The GTE also increased serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and decreased serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. The reduction of serum triglyceride levels was accompanied by a significant decrease in the hepatic triglyceride content, while the cholesterol content was not changed. The results indicate that GTE is definitely an anti-hyperlipidemic agent, at least, in animals.

Effect of Ganoderma tsugae on chronically carbon tetrachloride-intoxicated rats.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective and anti-fibrotic actions of crude extracts of Ganoderma tsugae (GTE) on chronic liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats. CCl4 (20%, 0.5 ml/rat) was given twice a week for 8 weeks, and animals received GTE through the whole experimental period. GTE showed obvious reducing actions on the elevated levels of glutamate-oxalate-transaminase (GOT) and glutamate-pyruvate-transaminase (GPT) caused by CCl4 at weeks 3, 6 and 8. Liver fibrosis in rats induced by CCl4 led to the drop of serum albumin and hepatic protein concentrations, while GTE increased serum albumin and hepatic protein concentrations. The CCl4-induced liver fibrosis may prolong the prothrombine time and increase albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio. GTE significantly decreased the prothrombine time and A/G ratio. Liver fibrosis induced by CCl4 markedly increased the weight of the spleen, hepatic water and hydroxyproline contents in rats, while GTE decreased the rat's spleen weights, hepatic water and hydroxyproline contents. All these results clearly demonstrated that GTE has hepatoprotective and anti-fibrotic activities.

Scavenging of reactive oxygen species and inhibition of the oxidation of low density lipoprotein by the aqueous extraction of Anoectochilus formosanus.

The ability of Anoectochilus formosanus extract (AFE) to react with relevant biological oxidants was evaluated in this study. In addition, its effect on oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL) was investigated in vitro and in vivo. AFE could scavenge reactive oxygen species, such as superoxide anion and hydroxyl radical. The study of human LDL oxidation showed that AFE delayed oxidation in a concentration-dependent manner. In vivo studies also showed that oral administration of AFE delayed the oxidation of LDL from hyperlipidemic hamsters. The ability of AFE to scavenge free radicals suggests that it may be a promising anti-atherogenic agent.

Antihyperglycaemic and anti-oxidant properties of Anoectochilus formosanus in diabetic rats.

1. In the present study, we investigated aqueous extracts of Anoectochilus formosanus (AFE) for antihyperglycaemic and anti-oxidant effects in diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin (STZ). 2. Diabetic rats were randomly divided into groups and treated orally by gavage with vehicle (distilled water) or AFE (1 and 2 g/kg), once a day for 21 days. 3. At the end of the 21 day period, AFE (2 g/kg) significantly reduced fasting blood glucose, serum fructosamine, triglycerides and total cholesterol compared with vehicle-treated diabetic rats. In vehicle-treated diabetic rats, levels of renal lipid peroxidation were increased, whereas glutathione concentrations were not affected. Renal lipid peroxidation levels were significantly lower and renal reduced glutathione (GSH) concentrations were significantly higher in AFE-treated diabetic rats compared with vehicle-treated diabetic rats. The diabetic kidney in the vehicle-treated group showed a decrease in catalase, but the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) was increased. 4. The activity of catalase, but not GSH-Px, was significantly reversed by AFE treatment. These results indicate that AFE (1 and 2 g/kg) not only possesses an antihyperglycemic effect, but that it may also reduce oxidative stress in diabetic rats.