Abstract

Pueraria, an edible vine used extensively for numerous medical applications, contains the main flavonoid component known as puerarin. Pueraria has been used for centuries in China to counteract alcohol intoxication. In the present study, we investigated the effects of puerarin on hepatic fibrosis in SD rats induced by alcohol administration via assessing liver-related biochemical indicators, CT imaging, and pathological changes. Pathological analysis revealed that the rats given puerarin effectively alleviated the signs of hepatic fibrosis. Puerarin treatment decreased the levels of serum γ-Glutamyl Transpeptadase (GGT), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Total Bilirubin (TBIL) and Direct Bilirubin (DBIL), which are indicators of hepatic cell disruption. CT image results showed that the mean CT value of liver of the pueraria plus alcohol group was significantly lower than that of the alcohol induced group. Consequently, all these results showed that puerarin could ameliorate alcohol-induced hepatic fibrosis.

Keywords:Hepatic fibrosis; Alcoholic liver disease; Pueraria; Puerarin; CT