Ellagic Acid Attenuates CCl4-Induced Hepatic Fibrosis and Is Associated with Changes in PI3K/AKT- and EMT-Related Protein Expression

Hepatic fibrosis is characterized by excessive extracellular matrix deposition and progressive impairment of liver structure and function. Ellagic acid (EA) has been reported to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, but its role in hepatic fibrosis remains incompletely understood. A CCl4-induced mouse model of hepatic fibrosis was established. EA was administered by oral gavage at 30, 60, or 120 mg/kg; colchicine was used as a positive control. Histopathological changes and collagen deposition were assessed using hematoxylin and eosin and Sirius Red staining, respectively. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) concentrations, as well as hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydroxyproline (Hyp) contents and total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity, were determined. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to assess fibrosis-associated, EMT-associated, and PI3K/AKT-related proteins. Network pharmacology analysis was performed to identify candidate targets and pathways. EA treatment ameliorated histopathological injury and collagen deposition in CCl4-treated mice. EA, particularly at the high dose, reduced serum ALT and AST activities and hepatic MDA and Hyp contents while increasing hepatic T-SOD activity. EA treatment was also associated with lower serum IL-6 and higher IL-10 concentrations. In the EA-H group, α-SMA and collagen I (COL1A1) immunoreactivity were reduced; the abundance of N-cadherin, PI3K, and AKT was lower; and E-cadherin expression was higher. Network pharmacology identified PI3K/AKT-related signaling as a candidate pathway associated with the anti-fibrotic effects of EA. EA attenuated CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis and was associated with lower oxidative stress, inflammation, and HSC activation. Direct PI3K/AKT inhibition was not established.