Hepatoprotective effects of Artemisiae Capillaris Herba and Picrorrhiza Rhizoma combinations on carbon tetrachloride–induced subacute liver damage in rats

Abstract 

The hepatoprotective properties of Artemisiae Capillaris Herba (AC) and Picrorrhiza Rhizoma (PR) are well known. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal composition of AC and PR mixtures for better complimentary or alternative regimens in reducing the level of hepatic fibrosis. Ten weeks of carbon tetrachloride injections caused subacute hepatic damage, manifested as significantly less body weight gain and hepatic protein content, and a higher liver weight, serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels, hepatic malondialdehyde (an index for lipid peroxidation), and hydroxyproline (an index for collagen synthesis) concentrations. The carbon tetrachloride–induced toxic effects were inhibited by 11 different AC/PR mixtures as well as the single AC or PR treatment. More favorable effects were detected in all mixed-formulation groups compared with the AC or PR single formulations. Moreover, the AC/PR 2:1 formulation showed the most favorable hepatoprotective activity. The AC and PR mixtures showed good synergic hepatoprotective activity that was attributed to increasing free-radical scavenging ability. Among the 11 types of mixed formula tested in this study, the AC/PR 2:1 formulation had the most impressive synergic effects on inhibiting the subacute hepatic damage induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats and showed more favorable effects than with an equal dose of silymarin.

Abbreviations: AC, Artemisiae Capillaris Herba, ALT, alanine aminotransferase, AST, aspartate aminotransferase, EDTA, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, PR, Picrorrhiza Rhizoma.

Keywords: Artemisiae Capillaris Herba, Carbon tetrachloride, Liver damage, Picrorrhiza Rhizoma, Rats, Synergic effect