Metabolomics study of dihydrotanshinone I on hepatic fibrosis with LC-MS technology

Objective  To evaluate therapeutic effects of dihydrotanshinone Ⅰ on hepatic fibrosis based on liver metabolomics method. Methods  28 rats were randomly divided into four groups including control group, hepatic fibrosis model group and dihydrotanshinone Ⅰ low dose group and dihydrotanshinone Ⅰ high dose group. The dihydrotanshinone Ⅰ treated groups received dihydrotanshinone Ⅰ for 28 days. The rat liver samples were collected and analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer (LC-MS). The OPLS-DA pattern recognition analysis of metabolomics differences among the groups and therapeutic effects of dihydrotanshinone Ⅰ on hepatic fibrosis were evaluated. Results  38 metabolites were identified through liver metabolomics analysis. The possible mechanism of hepatic fibrosis was mainly involved glutathione metabolism, melatonin metabolism, amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism and TCA cycle. The hepatic fibrosis induced by TAA was reversed by dihydrotanshinone Ⅰ. Conclusion  Dihydrotanshinone Ⅰ provided satisfactory therapeutical effects on hepatic fibrosis through partially regulating the perturbed glutathione metabolism, melatonin metabolism, amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, TCA cycle.