Effects of emodin and silymarin on the resolution of liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride in mice

Liver fibrosis is currently recognized as a critical mechanism of the pathogenesis of the chronic liver disease. Both Emodin, traditional Chinese medicine, and Silymarin, herbal medicine, have hepato-therapeutic potential. However, the antifibrotic mechanism of Emodin and Silymarin combination on liver fibrosis is still unclear. We aimed to investigate if the combination of Emodin and Silymarin could effectively reduce fibrosis of the liver to develop a new treatment strategy. A total of 50 Swiss albino mice were categorized into five groups; one served as a negative control, while the other four received carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) twice weekly for 4 weeks, then the mice were partitioned into a control positive untreated group, emodin treated group, Silymarin treated group and a combination group of emodin and Silymarin, all groups were kept for another 3 weeks. Biochemical liver function tests ALT, AST, Ɣ-GGT, and AFP, liver histological analysis and proliferative capacity (proliferating cell nuclear antigen)were evaluated. As per our findings, Emodin and Silymarin may be able to reduce hepatic fibrosis by lowering liver function assessments and improving the degree of liver fibrosis by minimizing Hepatic Stellate Cell stimulation and extracellular matrix formation. This study is a novel outcome suggested that the combination of Emodin and Silymarin may decrease liver fibrosis.