The chalcone butein from Rhus verniciflua shows antifibrogenic activity.

Butein is known to be the major component of the bark of Rhus verniciflua Stokes (Anacardiaceae). The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of butein on liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats, and to explore its antifibrogenic mechanism. Butein (10 mg/kg/day or 25 mg/kg/day) showed a significant reduction of hydroxyproline and malondialdehyde levels in rats. The expression of alpha1(I) collagen and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) mRNAs in liver was clearly reduced in a dose-dependent manner in rats given butein compared with control CCl4-treated rats. These data suggest the potential of butein to serve as an antifibrogenic agent by inhibition of collagen accumulation and lipid peroxidation, and by down-regulation of the expression of both alpha1(I) collagen and TIMP-1 mRNA.