Abstract:
To evaluate the effect of hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA)
on thioacetamide-induced liver fibrosis.
Methods: Thioacetamide was administered to rats intraperitoneally
in doses of 200 mg/kg twice a week for 12 weeks. Thioacetamide-
intoxicated rats were given silymarin (50 mg/kg) or HSYA (5 mg/
kg) orally every day for 8 weeks. Liver enzymes, fibrosis markers,
histological changes as well as immunohistochemistry of TNF-α,
IL-6, p21, α-SMA, and caspase-3 were examined. The effect of
HSYA on HSC-T6 activation/proliferation and apoptosis was also
determined in vitro.
Results: HSYA decreased liver enzymes, TNF-α, IL-6, and p21
expressions, hepatic PDGF-B, TIMP-1, TGF-β1, and hydroxyproline
levels, as well as fibrosis score (S2 vs. S4) compared to the
thioacetamide group. HSYA also downregulated α-SMA while
increasing caspase-3 expression. Surprisingly, at 500 µg/mL, HSYA
had only a slightly suppressive effect on HSC proliferation, with a
9.5% reduction. However, it significantly reduced TGF-β1, inhibited
α-SMA expression, induced caspase-3 expression, and promoted cell
senescence.
Conclusions: HSYA may be a potential therapeutic agent for
delaying and reversing the progression of liver fibrosis. More
research on HSYA at higher doses and for a longer period is
warranted.
