The effect of Kangxian ruangan granule on the expression of nuclear factor-κB gene in fibrotic rat liver

Objective To study the effect of Kangxian Ruangan granule on the expression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65mRNA in rats with hepatic fibrosis induced by ethanol and CCl4.Methods 40 male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: Model control group (M, n=15) , Kangxian Ruangan granule group (K, n=15) and normal control group (N, n=10) .In groups M and K, the rat hepatic fibrosis model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 40% CCl4 in olive oil twice a week and 5% ethanol as the only drinking water.The rats of K Group were given 20g/kg/day body weight (medium dose) of Kangxian Ruangan granule through stomach tubes.At the end of the 7th week, the structural changes of liver tissue and the expression of NF-κB p65 were examined by liver tissue biopsy and in situ hybridization techniques, respectively.Results The degenerative necrosis and liver fibrosis were improved significantly in K group compared to the M group (P<0.05) .The expression of NF-κB p65 decreased dramatically in M group (P<0.05) .Conclusion Kangxian Ruangan granule down regulates the expression of NF-κBp65 in rat liver tissue and inhibits the formation and development of liver fibrosis.The mechanism of anti-liver fibrosis of Kangxian Ruangan granule may be achieved by regulating the transcription process of NF-κBp65.