Abstract:

【Abstract】 Objectives  To examine the effects by single use and integrated use of the four herbs Angelica sinensis, Astragalus mongholicus, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Radix Paeoniae Rubra on mRNA expression of type I collagen α1 (Ⅰ) chain (COL1A1)gene, type Ⅲ collagen α1(Ⅲ) chain(COL3A1)gene and TGF-β1 gene in liver tissues of hepatic fibrosis mice due to schistosoma japonicum infection. Methods  Liver fibrosis models from schistosomiasis were developed in mice and then randomized into group A(treated with Angelica sinensis), B(treated with Astragalus mongholicus), C(Salvia miltiorrhiza), D(Radix Paeoniae RubraⅡ), E(integrated treatment with the four herbs) and F(treated with praziquantel). Group F received simple praziquantel, and remaining groups were given additional herbal components besides praziquantel. Group N was used as controls, the six groups were subgrouped into two by the treatment course(20 days and 40 days). After treatment, Real-time PCR was performed to determine the mRNA of COL1A1, COL3A1 and TGF-β1. Results  Group A, B, C, D and E had better treatment effects on reduction of the mRNA expression of COL1A1, COL3A1 and TGF-β1 compared to group F group(P<0.001). Among treatment group, mRNA expression of COL1A1, COL3A1 and TGF-β1 in group E1 was significantly lower than that of group A1, B1, C1and D1(P<0.05 or P<0.001).Group E2 had lower mRNA expression of COL1A1 than group A2, B2 and D2(P<0.05), and expression of COL3A1 and TGF-β1 was lower than that of group B2 and D2(P<0.05). Conclusion  Either single use or integrated use of the four herbs Angelica sinensis, Astragalus mongholicus, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Radix Paeoniae Rubra can improve the liver fibrosis from schistosomiasis and significantly downregulate mRNA expression of COL1A1, COL3A1 and TGF-β1. However, integrated use of the four herbs may produce better and faster effects than single recipe．

Key words: Chinese herbal medicine, Schistosomiasis japonica, Liver fibrosis, Collagen, TGF-β1