Effect of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge extract on liver cirrhosis in rats

Purpose: To explore the effects of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge.extract(SMBE) on diethylnitrosamine(DEN)- induced liver cirrhosis in rats.Methods: SMBE was obtained by extracting dried Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. in water. Liver cirrhosis was induced in Wistar rats by injecting diethylnitrosamine in abdominal cavity once a week for 8 weeks. Concurrently, rats received either daily oral SMBE (SMBE group) or saline (control group). Clinical biochemical assessments, oxidative stress tests (malondialdehyde [MDA], superoxide dismutase [SOD]) were performed at 4 and 8 weeks after beginning DEN.Results: Compared to the control group, both plasma alanine transaminase (ALT, 245.6 ± 8.5 U/L) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST, 205.7 ± 5.1 U/L) were significantly lower in SMBE group after 8 weeks (p < 0.01 for both ALT and AST). SMBE group exhibited significantly lower MDA (0.41 ± 0.04 μmol/L) levels and higher SOD(0.53 ± 0.05 U/mg protein) activity than control at 8 weeks after commencing DEN (p < 0.01 for both MDA and SOD).Conclusion: SMBE has significant ameliorative effect on DEN-induced liver cirrhosis in rats. Antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects of SMBE appear to be involved in these beneficial effects.Keywords: Salvia miltiorrhiza, Liver cirrhosis, Anti-oxidant, Anti-apoptotic, Diethylnitrosamine, Biochemical parameter