Icariin protects against thioacetamide-induced liver fibrosis in rats: Implication of anti-angiogenic and anti-autophagic properties.

Background: Liver fibrosis is a major health problem. The current study evaluated the potential of icariin (ICA) to guard against thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver fibrosis in rats.

Methods: Four groups of male rats were treated as follows: group 1 was the control group, group 2 was given TAA (200mg/kg), group 3 was administered ICA (50mg/kg) and TAA (200mg/kg), and group 4 was given ICA (50mg/kg) alone.