Effects of Kenponashi-Artichoke Compound Supplement on CCl4 -induced Chronic Hepatic Injury to Rats

Abstract

Background: Population aging is coupled with an increased morbidity rate of chronic diseases, and the lesions are mostly related 
to the liver, joints, and adipose tissues. Chronic diseases not only influence personal health but also increase national health and 
medical expenses. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most familiar chronic liver disease (CLD) in the world. It will 
cause liver fibrosis or death without treatment, but there is no certified drug for treatment. According to many studies, artichoke 
(Cynara scolymus L.) extract, Kenponashi (Hoveniadulcis thunberg) extract, sanghuangporus sanghuang (Phellinuslinteus) extract, fructus 
schisandrae (Schisandra chinensis) extract, sesame (Sesamum indicum) extract, vitamin B complex and vitamin E have potential in resisting inflammation and liver fibrosis, but this novel combination for improving hepatic injury has not been studied or discussed 
in practice.
Objective: This experiment discussed the effect of an artichoke compound (AHC) formula containing artichoke extract, Kenponashi extract, sanghuangporus sanghuang extract, fructus schisandrae extract, sesame extract , vitamin B complex and vitamin 
E on improving the chronic hepatitis of rats induced by carbon tetrachloride(CCl4
).
Design: A total of 50 six-week-old male Wistar rats were divided into five groups for use in the experiment, including the control 
group and four experimental groups (CCl4
). The CCl4
 groups were given carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) or AHC (318, 636 and 
1,590 mg/kg, represented by AHC-L, AHC-M, and AHC-H, respectively). All rats were fed AHC for one week at first. Starting 
from the second week, the control group was fed olive oil (0.2 ml/100 g) per os, while the experimental group was fed with CCl4
20% twice per week for eight-weeks. During the experimental period, CMC or AHC was given to the rats once per day. All rats 
were sacrificed in the ninth-week to analyze their body weight, food intake, body fat content, serum biochemical value and liver 
lipids.
Results: The results showed that the final spleen weight of the CCl4
+AHC-H group was significantly lower than that of the 
CCl4
+CMC group; the AST concentration in the plasma of the CCl4
+AHC-L, M and H groups was significantly lower than that 
of the CCl4
+CMC group; the ALT concentration in the plasma of the CCl4
+AHC-H group was significantly lower than that of 
the CCl4
+CMC group; the triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations in the plasma of the CCl4
+AHC-L, M and H groups were 
significantly lower than that of the CCl4
+CMC group; the GSH concentration in the livers of the CCl4
+AHC-L and H groups 
was significantly higher than that of the CCl4
+CMC group; the hepatic fibrosis of the CCl4
+AHC-L, M and H groups were significantly lower than that of the CCl4
+CMC group (p<0.05).
Conclusion: AHC could reduce the ALT and AST values of rat plasma induced by CCl4
, increase the antioxidant GSH content in 
the liver, and reduce the degree of hepatic fibrosis. It has the potential to be a natural and mild plant extract dietary supplement. 
Its long-term administration effect on the human body should be observed in the future.