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World J Gastroenterol. Apr 28, 2014; 20(16): 4753-4760
Published online Apr 28, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i16.4753
Published online Apr 28, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i16.4753
Hepatoprotective effect of Cichorium intybus L., a traditional Uighur medicine, against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats
Guo-Yu Li, Jing-Kai Gu, Research Center for Drug Metabolism, College of Life Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, Jilin Province, China
Guo-Yu Li, Jin-Hui Wang, School of Pharmacy, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832002, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
Hong-Ying Gao, Jian Huang, Jin Lu, Jin-Hui Wang, School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, Liaoning Province, China
Author contributions: Li GY, Gao HY and Lu J carried out the experiments; Li GY, Gao HY, Gu JK and Wang JH participated in the design of the study, performed the statistical analysis and drafted the manuscript; all authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Supported by The Key Projects of the National Science and Technology Pillar Program No. 2012BAI30B02
Correspondence to: Jing-Kai Gu, PhD, Research Center for Drug Metabolism, College of Life Science, Jilin University, Qianjin Street, 9 Changchun 130012, Jilin Province, China. gujk@mail.jlu.edu.cn
Telephone: +86-431-85155381 Fax: +86-431-85155380
Received: October 1, 2013
Revised: January 2, 2014
Accepted: February 17, 2014
Published online: April 28, 2014
Revised: January 2, 2014
Accepted: February 17, 2014
Published online: April 28, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip:Cichorium intybus L. extract (CIE) is a traditional Uighur medicine that is commonly used in China and other Asian countries to nourish and improve the liver. The present study demonstrated that CIE has a hepatoprotective effect against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. We propose that the increased levels of antioxidant enzymes and reduced levels of malondialdehyde are the major mechanism of CIE for preventing the development of liver fibrosis induced by CCl4.