Hepatic fibrosis is a central pathological process in a wide spectrum of liver diseases. This study aims to
evaluate possible anti-fibrotic effect of Jeruselem artichoke tubers (JAT) and to investigate possible
biochemical and molecular mechanisms for such effect. 60 male albino rats were divided equally (20
rats/group) into the following groups Group I: Untreated control group. Group II: Carbon tetrachloride (CCL4)
treated group, rats given CCl4-olive oil (1:1, 2.8 ml/kg followed by 1.4 ml/kg after one week) by gavage.
Group III: rats received JAT (1 g/kg body weight) orally starting from day one of CCL4 treatment.
Biochemical analysis of liver enzymes activities and total bilirubin levels in serum besides histopathological
evaluation, immuno-histochemical and western blotting analysis for P53, Bax and transforming growth
factor-β (TGF-β) protein expression in liver tissue were executed. CCL4 treatment showed evident
hepatocellular damage and fibrosis, major biochemical and histopathological changes and disrupted
Hypoglycemic and Hepatoprotective Effects of Jerusalem Artichoke
Extracts on Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats