Research Article

Aqueous Date Flesh or Pits Extract Attenuates Liver Fibrosis via Suppression of Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation and Reduction of Inflammatory Cytokines, Transforming Growth Factor-β1 and Angiogenic Markers in Carbon Tetrachloride-Intoxicated Rats

Figure 1

Light photomicrograph of liver sections stained with Masson’s trichrome to demonstrate the fibrous tissue (scale bar 50 μm). (a) Control liver showing normal amount and distribution of fibrous tissue (arrow) mainly in the portal area. (b) Liver section from rat exposed to CCl4 showing increase of the fibrous tissue (arrow) which extends outside the portal area. (c) Liver from rat exposed to CCl4 and receiving 2 mL/kg of DFE showing mild decrease of the amount abnormal deposited fibrous tissue. Also (d) represents liver from rat exposed to CCl4 and 4 mL/kg of DFE and shows decrease of fibrous tissue but still abnormally deposited outside portal area. ((e), (f)) Liver sections from rat exposed to CCl4 and receiving 6 and 8 mL/kg of DFE, respectively, show apparently normal amount and distribution of fibrous tissue if compared with the control group (a).
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