Evaluation of Enzymatic changes in cholestasis index and TGF-β expression in cholestatic rat's liver were treated with ethanolic extract of Epimedium

Liver fibrosis is one of the chronic and common diseases that is associated with increased production of excess collagen in the liver by star-shaped cells with increased TGF-β expression. Induction of cholestasis is one way which caused to liver fibrosis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antifibrotic effect of Epimedium extract on liver cholestasis induced by bile duct ligation (BDL) in rats. In this study, 40 male Wistar rats weighing 200-250 g were used. The rats were divided into 8 groups of 5, including healthy control, 3 healthy experimental were treated with doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of Epimedium extract, BDL group and 3 BDL were treated with mentioned doses. The rats were treated via intragastric gavage for 45 consecutive days (once per day). After 45 days, Alkalin phosphatase serumic level was measured after rats anesthesia and their serum isolation. Also, the rat's liver was fixed, colored and then evaluated via using the common immunohistochemical method with TGF-β antibody.The results showed a significant increase in serum levels of ALP enzyme and an increase in TGF-β expression in BDL group. Dose-dependent Treatment with Epimedium extract was able to improve these changes significantly. The results of this study showed that Epimedium extract probably improves the serum level of ALP enzyme by increasing the stability of cell membranes and also reduces the production and deposition of collagen in the liver by inhibiting the activation of stellar cells and inhibiting TGF-β expression.