Effect of gallic acid on experimental liver fibrosis in rats

Objective To explore the effect of gallic acid (GA) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats and its mechanism.Methods The rat hepatic fibrosis model was established with CCl₄,and then the rats were treated witn GA.The changes in hepatic function,blood hyaluronic acid (HA),superoxide dismutes (SOD),malondialdehyde (MDA),L-hydroxyproline (Hyp),serum HA,laminin (LN),and procollagen type Ⅲ (HPCⅢ)were detected and the changes in microstructure of hepatic tissues were also observed.Results Compared with those of the normal control group,the serum alanine transaminase (ALT)(342.07±28.03 U/L),aspartate aminotransferase (AST)(532.88±115.55 U/L),MDA (35.07±11.43 nmol/mL),Hyp (49.23±10.87μg/mL),HA (161.82±35.24 ng/mL),LN (46.90±24.52 ng/L),and HPCⅢ (8.47±1.10 ng/mL)of the model group were increased significantly (P<0.01 for all);while the serum SOD (147.18±32.27 U/mL) was decreased (P<0.01).Compared with those of the model control group,the ALT (280.63±119.50 U/L),AST (229.82±51.22 U/L),MDA (10.32±3.88 nmol/mL),Hyp (26.83±8.23μg/mL),HA (103.26±7.16 ng/mL),LN (11.74±3.69 ng/L), and HPCⅢ (6.00±0.53 ng/mL) of the high dose GA group were decreased significantly (P<0.01 for all);while the activity of SOD (230.30±17.56 U/mL) was increased (P<0.01).The pathological observation revealed that GA could improve injuries of hepatic tissues.Conclusion GA has the effects of protecting liver and anti-liver fibrosis and the mechanism of the effects may be related to its anti-oxidation role.