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  3. Protective effect of water extracts of Veronicastrum latifolium (Hemsl.) Yamazaki on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis in mice and its effect on intestinal flora

Protective effect of water extracts of Veronicastrum latifolium (Hemsl.) Yamazaki on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis in mice and its effect on intestinal flora

  • Fitoterapia. 2023 Aug 16;105653. doi: 10.1016/j.fitote.2023.105653.
Guang-Xian Hu 1,  Xiao-Fen Xie 2,  Tian-Hong Yuan 3,  Min Shuai 4,  Jin-Juan Zhang 3,  Dan Zhou 2,  Jiu-Qiong Chen 1,  Miao Ran 5,  Lan Wang 6,  Yong-Li 7,  Mao-Qiong Chen 8,  Zhen-Kui Ren 9,  Jian-Wei Xu 10
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 National joint local engineering laboratory for Cell Engineering and Biomedicine Technique, Guizhou Province Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Key Laboratory of Adult Stem Cell Translational Research (Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences), Guizhou Medical University, China; School of Pharmacy, Guizhou Medical University, China.
  • 2 National joint local engineering laboratory for Cell Engineering and Biomedicine Technique, Guizhou Province Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Key Laboratory of Adult Stem Cell Translational Research (Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences), Guizhou Medical University, China; School of Basic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, China.
  • 3 School of Basic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, China.
  • 4 Department of Pathology, Qiannan Medical College for Nationalities, China.
  • 5 National joint local engineering laboratory for Cell Engineering and Biomedicine Technique, Guizhou Province Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Key Laboratory of Adult Stem Cell Translational Research (Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences), Guizhou Medical University, China.
  • 6 Institute of Medical Science, Guizhou Medical University, China.
  • 7 Department of Stomatology, Hunan University of Medicine, China.
  • 8 Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, China. Electronic address: chenmaoqiong189@163.com.
  • 9 Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second People's Hospital of Guizhou Province, China. Electronic address: 2639092792@qq.com.
  • 10 National joint local engineering laboratory for Cell Engineering and Biomedicine Technique, Guizhou Province Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Key Laboratory of Adult Stem Cell Translational Research (Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences), Guizhou Medical University, China; School of Pharmacy, Guizhou Medical University, China. Electronic address: 363912577@qq.com.
PMID: 37595643 DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2023.105653
Abstract

Liver fibrosis refers to a reversible event of repair and reconstruction following injury due to various etiologies, and its continuous development will lead to cirrhosis and liver Cancer. Abnormal alterations in intestinal microbiota can hasten the development of hepatic fibrosis and damage. Veronicastrum latifolium (Hemsl.) Yamazaki (VLY) is a classic drug applied extensively for managing acute and chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and ascites in ethnic minority areas of Guizhou Province, China, which possesses broad-spectrum pharmacological activities. In view of the crucial role of intestinal microbiota in the development of liver fibrosis, the present study attempted to investigate the effects of VLY aqueous extract on ameliorating CCl4-elicited liver fibrosis in mice and on intestinal microbiota and to explore its possible mechanism. Phytochemical analysis showed that VLY water extract contained a variety of components, particularly rich in organic acids and their derivatives, Flavonoids, phenolic acids, nucleotides and their derivatives, Carbohydrates and other compounds. VLY water extract remarkably alleviated CCl4-induced liver damage and fibrosis in mice, improved liver histology, and improved liver function abnormalities. VLY water extract also inhibited the activation of hepatic stellate cells and invasion of intrahepatic inflammatory cells. Additionally, Sequencing the 16 s rDNA gene revealed that VLY water extract changed the intestinal microbiota composition in liver fibrotic mice. It elevated the Firmicutes/Bacteroidota ratio and enriched the relative Lactobacillus richness, which is capable of mitigating fibrosis and inflammation in impaired liver. In summary, through modulation of inflammation and intestinal microbiota, VLY water extract can reduce the CCl4-elicited liver fibrosis.

Keywords

Hepatic stellate cells; Inflammation; Intestinal flora; Liver fibrosis; Veronicastrum latifolium (Hemsl.) Yamazaki.

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