Abstract

Objective : The aim of this study is to investigate the inhibitory effect of Injinchunggantang on hepatic sclerosis induced by $CCl_4$. Methods : Weight, liver function test and complete blood cell count, gross findings, and findings on liver tissue of the past(Hematoxylin & Eosin stain, Masson-Trichrome stain) were studied. Results : When it comes to the change of rats' body weight, The $CCl_{4^+}$Injinchunggantang group lost far less weight than The $CCl_{4^-}$only group. In the liver function test, which is focused on various areas such as total cholesterol, alkaline phosphotase, albumin, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, The $CCl_{4^+}$Injinchunggantang group was much more closer to normal limit than the $CCl_4$ only group. In the complete blood cell count, including white blood cell, red blood cell, hemoglobin, hematocrite, platelet, The $CCl_{4^+}$Injinchunggantang group significantly closer to normal limit than $CCl_{4^-}$only group. In the gross findings of hepatic fibrosis models, Injinchunggantang showed inhibitory effect on hepatic fibrosis in the order. In the past findings of hepatic fibrosis models in Hematoxylin & Eosin, Masson-Trichrome staining, the liver in $CCl_{4^-}$only group showed atrophy and necrotic change with white nodules, whereas that of $CCl_{4^+}$Injinchunggantang group showed lesser significant change with the well_preserved tone of the tissue. In the extent of the inhibition of the hepatic fibrosis, the Injinchunggantang group showed statistically significant inhibitory effect(p<0.05) in the sclerosis model. Conclusions : These results show that Injinchunggantang have inhibitory effect on hepatic sclerosis induced by $CCl_4$ and further ultimately prevent liver cirrhosis. To obtain more credible results in this experiment, the invention of a new experimental model more similar to human hepatic sclerosis is still needed.

Keywords

• Injinchunggantang;
• hepatic sclerosis;
• $CCl_4$