Chun-Hung Yang1,2, Heng-Yuan Chang3, Yi-Chuan Chen3, Chia-Chen Lu1,4, Shyh-Shyun Huang5, Guan-Jhong Huang6, Hsin-Chih Lai7. 1. Graduate Institute of Biomedical Science, Division of Biotechnology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, 333, Taiwan, Republic of China. 2. Applied Toxicology Division, Taiwan Agricultural Chemicals and Toxic Substances Research Institute, Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan, Taichung, Taiwan, 413, China. 3. School of Post-Baccalaureate Chinese Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan, 970, China. 4. Department of Respiratory Therapy, Fu Jen Catholic University, Sinhuang, Taipei, Taiwan, 242, China. 5. School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, 404, China. 6. School of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences and Chinese Medicine Resources, College of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, 404, China. gjhuang@mail.cmu.edu.tw. 7. Graduate Institute of Biomedical Science, Division of Biotechnology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, 333, Taiwan, Republic of China. hclai@mail.cgu.edu.tw.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To study whether the ethanol extract of Phellinus merrillii (EPM) has chemopreventive potential against liver carcinogenesis. METHODS: Thirty male Spraque-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group, EPM control group, hepatocarcinoma control group, low-dose EPM group and high-dose EPM group, 6 in each group. Using the Solt and Farber protocol in a rat model of hepatocarcinogenesis, the chemopreventive effect of EPM on diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-initiated, 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) and partial hepatectomy (PH)-promoted liver carcinogenesis in rats was evaluated. Basic pathophysiological and histological examinations, together with the serum levels of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (sGOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (sGPT) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT) were measured. RESULTS: Treatment of EPM at the concentration of 2 g/kg body weight in the diet for 8 weeks clearly prevented the development of carcinogenesis and reduced the levels of sGOT, sGPT, and serum γ-GT of rats as compared with the hepatocarcinoma control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). These phenotypes were accompanied by a significant increase in natural killer cell activity. CONCLUSION: EPM showed a strong liver preventive effect against DEN+2-AAF+PH-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in a rat model.
OBJECTIVE: To study whether the ethanol extract of Phellinus merrillii (EPM) has chemopreventive potential against liver carcinogenesis. METHODS: Thirty male Spraque-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group, EPM control group, hepatocarcinoma control group, low-dose EPM group and high-dose EPM group, 6 in each group. Using the Solt and Farber protocol in a rat model of hepatocarcinogenesis, the chemopreventive effect of EPM on diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-initiated, 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) and partial hepatectomy (PH)-promoted liver carcinogenesis in rats was evaluated. Basic pathophysiological and histological examinations, together with the serum levels of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (sGOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (sGPT) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT) were measured. RESULTS: Treatment of EPM at the concentration of 2 g/kg body weight in the diet for 8 weeks clearly prevented the development of carcinogenesis and reduced the levels of sGOT, sGPT, and serum γ-GT of rats as compared with the hepatocarcinoma control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). These phenotypes were accompanied by a significant increase in natural killer cell activity. CONCLUSION: EPM showed a strong liver preventive effect against DEN+2-AAF+PH-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in a rat model.