Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of “XGTQ” in the treatment of cirrhosis induced by Carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) in combination with alcohol and a high-fat diet on Wistar rats.

Materials and methods: Cirrhosis on white rats was induced by subcutaneously injecting CC14 at an initial dose of 5,0ml/kg, followed by 1,2ml/kg once a week in 10 weeks. Then, fed with synthetic food, added 20% fat, and 0.05% cholesterol and iron oxalate. Rats were administered every day with plain water and 1 day with water mixed with 30% ethanol. The rats were randomly divided into 5 groups and given distilled water (group 1 and 2 or control group), silymarin (group 3 or reference group) or the “XGTQ” drug extract (group 4, 5) for 4 weeks. Collected blood for biochemical test and liver were dissected to evaluate weight, morphology, and quantified 4-hydroxyproline to evaluate fibrosis and collagen accumulation.

Results: In cirrhotic Wistar rats, “XGTQ” drug at 19.6 g/kg/24h and 58.8 g/kg/24h showed the ability toreduce the activity of enzymes AST, ALT in the blood (p<0.01), increasing plasma albumin and decreasing prothrombin time (p<0.05); improving physical condition, macroscopic and microscopic images of H&E-stained liver; decreasing the concentration of hydroxyproline in the liver and reducing the level of cirrhosis on the Masson-stained templates. The effects of “XGTQ” increased with the dose and was equivalent to silymarin at the dose of 70 mg/kg/24h.

Conclusion: The extract of “XGTQ” drug is effective in treating cirrhosis in Wistar rats.

Keywords: XGTQ, cirrhosis, wistar rats, CCl4, silymarin, distilled water.

Graphical Abstract