Antifibrotic activity of LCC, a cerebroside of Lydum chinense fruit, in bile duct-ligated rats

We previously reported that a novel cerebroside, LCC, isolated from the fruits of Lycium chinense (Solanaceae), significantly exerted hepatoprotective activity against both the carbon tetrachloride-induced and galactosamine-induced toxicities in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes. In the present study, we further attempted to determine the effect of LCC on hepatic fibrosis in animal model. Hepatic fibrosis was induced in rats by bile duct ligation/scission (BDL) for a period of 5 weeks. Treatment of BDL rats with LCC significantly reduced collagen deposition and the activities of serum alkaline phosphatase and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase. In addition, the LCC treatment of BDL rats significantly preserved the decreased hepatic glutathione as well as the activities of glutathione reductase and catalase in BDL rats. From the results, it can be speculated that LCC might exert antifibrotic activity in rats with BDL, in part, through the preservation of antioxidant enzymes and hepatic glutathione.