The Effect of the Keughachukeo-tang Extract on the Hepatocellular Carcinogenesis and Acute Liver Damage Induced by Diethylnitrosamine and CCl4 in Rats

Abstract

This study was performed to observe the effect of Keughachukeo-tang(KH) extract on the hepatocellular carcinogenesis and acute liver damage induced by Diethylnitrosamine(DENA) and CCl4 in Rats. Experimental groups were divided into four; normal group(Nor), acute liver damage and hepatocellular cancer inducing control group(Con), KH extract 350㎎/㎏/day(KHA), and 700㎎/㎏/day(KHB) administered groups to Con. The results obtained are as follows: The body weight increased in KHA and KHB than Con from 7th week to the 8th week. The activities of Alanine aminotransferase(ALT) were the most increased in the Con among experimental group. The activities of aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alkaline phosphatase(ALP), and lactacte dehydrogenase(LDH) were significantly decreased(p<0.05) in the KHA and KHB compared with Con. Alpha fetoprotein(AFP) were the most increased in the Con among experimental groups. The activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD) were the most increased in the Con among experimental groups. The activities of catalase were significantly increased(p<0.05) in the KHA and KHB compared with Con. The results of light microscopical observation, a number of hepatocytes were damaged in the Con compared with Nor and KH extract administerd groups. The number of hepatic p53 positive cells was reduced in the KH extract administered groups compared with Con. These results suggest that administration of KH extract suppress or retard on the Hepatocellular Carcinogenesis and acute liver damage induced by DENA and CCl4 in Rats.

Keywords

• Keughachukeo-tang
• Hepatocellular Carcinogenesis
• DENA
• CCl4
• p53