The Effect ofElephantopus scaber L.on Liver Regeneration after Partial Hepatectomy

Abstract

Liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PHx) is a physiological response for maintaining homeostasis. The aim of this study is to investigate effects ofElephantopus scaber L.-(ESL-) induced liver regeneration on growth factors (HGF and IGF-1), cell cycle regulation, and apoptosis suppressed. In this study, we fed five Chinese medicinal herbs (1 g/kg/day),Codonopsis pilosula(CP, Dangshen),Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge(SMB, Danshen,),Bupleurum kasi(BK, Chaihu),Elephantopus scaber L.(ESL, Teng-Khia-U), and Silymarin (Sm, 25 mg/kg) for 7 days to male Spraue-Dawley rats. Then surgical 2/3 PHx was conducted and liver regeneration mechanisms were estimated on the following 24 hrs and 72 hrs. The activities of growth factors (HGF and IGF-I) and cell cycle proteins were measured by Western blot and RT-PCR. Histological analysis and apoptosis were detected by H&E stain and TUNEL. The results showed that extraction ofElephantopus scaber L.(ESL) and Silymarin (Sm, positive control) were increased protein expression levels of HGF and IGF-1 which leads into cell cycle. These results suggest that the ESL plays a crucial role in cell cycle-induced liver regeneration and apoptosis. These results suggested that the ESL plays a crucial role in cell cycle-induced liver regeneration and suppressed hepatocytes apoptosis.