Antifibrotic effects of CGX, a traditional herbal formula, and its mechanisms in rats.

Abstract Aim CGX is a modification of a traditional herbal medicine for “liver cleaning,” which is used to treat various chronic liver disorders in oriental clinics. This study investigated the antifibrotic effects and associated mechanisms of CGX. Materials and methods Liver fibrosis was induced in rats by dimethylnitrosamine (DMN; 10 mg kg −1 , ip) injection on 3 consecutive days per week for 4 weeks. CGX (100 or 200 mg kg −1 , po) was administrated once a day for 4 weeks. Three cell lines (HepG2, RAW 264.7, and HSC-T6) were used to examine its mechanisms. Results CGX treatment dramatically ameliorated the change in liver and spleen weight and serum albumin ( p p p p p 4 -toxicity, inhibition of NO production in RAW 264.7 cells, and inactivation of hepatic stellate cells. Conclusion These results demonstrated the antifibrotic effects of CGX and the corresponding mechanisms associated with sustaining the antioxidative system and inhibiting hepatic stellate cell activation via the downregulation of fibrogenic cytokines.