Yung-Luen Shih1,2,3, Ming-Fang Wu4, Ching-Hsiao Lee5, Ming-Yang Yeh6, Jason Chou7, Jia-You Liu8, Hsu-Feng Lu9,8, Yi-Ping Huang10, Nien-Chieh Liao8, Jing-Gung Chung11,12. 1. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C. 2. School of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C. 3. School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Fu-Jen Catholic University, New Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C. 4. Animal Medicine Center, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C. 5. Department of Medical Technology, Jen-Teh Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management, Houlong, Miaoli County, Taiwan, R.O.C. 6. Departments of Medical Education and Research, Cheng Hsin General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C. 7. Departments of Anatomic Pathology, Cheng Hsin General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C. 8. Departments of Clinical Pathology, Cheng Hsin General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C. 9. School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Fu-Jen Catholic University, New Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C. jgchung@mail.cmu.edu.tw ch1835@chgh.org.tw. 10. Department of Physiology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C. 11. Department of Biological Science and Technology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C. jgchung@mail.cmu.edu.tw ch1835@chgh.org.tw. 12. Department of Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM: Antrodia cinnamomea is found with polysaccharides, lipids, vitamins, fibers and ash (minerals) and is well known in Taiwan as a traditional Chinese medicine. Its biological activities have been reported to have anti-inflammatory, anti-fatigue, anti-tumor and immunomodulatory effects, but its protective effects on liver function are still unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We determined if Antrodia cinnamomea was hepatoprotective against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) toxicity in Wistar rats. Six groups were used in the study: 1) control (no induction by CCl4); 2) negative control (CCl4-induction and no treatment); 3) positive control (silymarin treatment); 4) groups 4-6 were treated with CC14 and different concentrations (350 mg/kg, 1,400 mg/kg, 3,150 mg/kg) of Antrodia cinnamomea. Blood and liver samples of rats were harvested and then detected by biochemical and tissue histochemical analysis. Activity of the antioxidative enzymes glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase in the liver were also monitored. RESULTS: Only the high-dose treatment was able to decrease serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT) levels and improve liver function. High and medium doses increased total liver protein and reduced hydroxyproline. It was also observed that the high dose treatment reduced lipid peroxidation. Liver sections of CC14 treated animals receiving Antrodia cinnamomea showed less fibrosis compared to the CCl4 control group. CONCLUSION: This finding suggested that Antrodia cinnamomea can either enhance liver recovering from CCl4 damage or attenuate CCl4 toxicity in rats. Copyright
BACKGROUND/AIM: Antrodia cinnamomea is found with polysaccharides, lipids, vitamins, fibers and ash (minerals) and is well known in Taiwan as a traditional Chinese medicine. Its biological activities have been reported to have anti-inflammatory, anti-fatigue, anti-tumor and immunomodulatory effects, but its protective effects on liver function are still unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We determined if Antrodia cinnamomea was hepatoprotective against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) toxicity in Wistar rats. Six groups were used in the study: 1) control (no induction by CCl4); 2) negative control (CCl4-induction and no treatment); 3) positive control (silymarin treatment); 4) groups 4-6 were treated with CC14 and different concentrations (350 mg/kg, 1,400 mg/kg, 3,150 mg/kg) of Antrodia cinnamomea. Blood and liver samples of rats were harvested and then detected by biochemical and tissue histochemical analysis. Activity of the antioxidative enzymes glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase in the liver were also monitored. RESULTS: Only the high-dose treatment was able to decrease serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT) levels and improve liver function. High and medium doses increased total liver protein and reduced hydroxyproline. It was also observed that the high dose treatment reduced lipid peroxidation. Liver sections of CC14 treated animals receiving Antrodia cinnamomea showed less fibrosis compared to the CCl4 control group. CONCLUSION: This finding suggested that Antrodia cinnamomea can either enhance liver recovering from CCl4 damage or attenuate CCl4toxicity in rats. Copyright