The nuclear receptor, farnesoid X receptor (FXR), has been recently considered as a tumor suppressor in HCC. IL-6/Janus kinase 2 (Jak-2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway has been implicated as a key player in many cancer types. This study aimed at investigating the potential effect of the FXR agonist, obeticholic acid (OCA), on HCC and the involvement of IL-6/ STAT3 pathway. The potential regulation of STAT3 by its main feedback inhibitor target gene, the suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3), triggered by OCA was also explored. Cytotoxicity studies were performed on HepG2, Huh7, and SNU-449 cell lines using OCA alone and combined with the FXR antagonist guggulsterone (Gugg). OCA cytotoxic effect was significantly hampered in presence of Gugg. OCA also caused cell cycle arrest and inhibited invasion and migration of HCC cells. Decrease in STAT3 phosphorylation and SOCS3 upregulation were also observed. Moreover, Jak-2, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels were decreased. These results were correlated with an upregulation of FXR and small heterodimer partner (SHP) levels. Effects of OCA on IL-6/STAT3 main key players were reversed in presence of Gugg. Overall, these findings suggest a potential effect of OCA in HCC via interfering with IL-6/STAT3 signalling pathway in vitro.Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most prevalent type of cancer and the third most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. It accounts for about 85% of primary liver cancer where its incidence has dramatically increased during the past two decades 1

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The long term use of antiepileptic drugs possesses many unwanted effects; thus, new safe combinations are urgently mandated. Hence, the present study aimed to investigate the anticonvulsant effect of kava alone or in combination with a synthetic anticonvulsant drug, diazepam (DZ). To this end, female Wistar rats were divided into two subsets, each comprising 6 groups as follows: group (i) received 1% Tween 80 p.o. and served as control, while groups (ii) and (iii) received kava at two dose levels (100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.). The remaining three groups received (iv) DZ alone (10 mg/kg p.o.) or kava in combination with DZ (v) (5 mg/kg, p.o.) or (vi) (10 mg/kg, p.o.). Results of the present study revealed that kava increased the maximal electroshock seizure threshold (MEST) and enhanced the anticonvulsant effect of diazepam following both acute and chronic treatment. Moreover, neither kava nor its combination with DZ impaired motor co-ordination either acutely or chronically. Furthermore, kava ameliorated both the reduction in locomotor activity as well as changes in liver function tests induced by chronic administration of DZ. Moreover, no elevation was shown in the creatinine concentration vs. control group following chronic administration of kava or DZ either alone or in combination with kava. In conclusion, the present study suggests the possibility of combining a low dose DZ with kava to reduce harmful effects and might be recommended for clinical use in patients chronically treated with this synthetic anticonvulsant drug.

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