Anti-liver fibrosis effects of the total flavonoids of litchi semen on CCl <sub>4</sub> -induced liver fibrosis in rats associated with the upregulation of retinol metabolism
Jiongyi Yan, Yinyi Feng, Xuewan Fang, Xiaojuan Cui, Xing Xia, Fang Li, Wei‐Sheng Luo, Jianqin Liang, Jianfang Feng, Kai Yu
Abstract
CONTEXT: The litchi semen are traditional medications for treating liver fibrosis (LF) in China. The mechanism remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the anti-liver fibrotic mechanism of the total flavonoids of litchi semen (TFL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats with carbon tetrachloride-induced LF were treated with TFL (50 and 100 mg/kg) for 4 weeks. The anti-liver fibrotic effects of TFL were evaluated and the underlying mechanisms were investigated via histopathological analysis, proteomic analysis and molecular biology technology. RESULTS: < 0.05) after TFL treatment was verified. CONCLUSIONS: TFL exhibited good anti-liver fibrotic effects, which may be related to the upregulation of the retinol metabolism pathway. TFL may be promising anti-LF agents with potential clinical application prospects.