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 of Elephantopus 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 of Elephantopus 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.

Silymarin Accelerates Liver Regeneration after Partial Hepatectomy

“…Efficacy in the restoration of liver function and liver regeneration has been established. Our previous report highlights the potential of silymarin to enhance the growth factors such as the HGF at various time points [ 35 ]. Similarly, it should be noted, from the present study, that HGF as well as other growth factors such as TGF α and TGF β 1 is also stimulated by silymarin after PHx in a similar fashion.…”

Utilization of Elephantopus scaber as traditional medicine and its bioactivity

“…On the other hand, various natural products from plants are believed to have the effect of restoring or protecting the liver which is known as hepatoprotective (20). Research on plants as hepatoprotective is ongoing, including ES (21).…”

“…ES has traditionally been used as a liver tonic. Liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy is a physiological response to maintain homeostasis (21). In laboratory experiments, liver damage can be induced with alcohol or ethanol (6).…”

Synergistic effect of <i>Elephantopus scaber</i> L and <i>Sauropus androgynus</i> L merr extracts in modulating prolactin hormone and erythropoiesis in pregnant typhoid mice

“…E. scaber contains flavonoids and saponins, and it potentially inhibits the aromatase enzyme, which converts testosterone into estradiol (oestrogen). Therefore, E. scaber can be used to suppress the production of oestrogen in pregnant women infected by Salmonella typhi, followed by normal secretion of prolactin [8,9]. We previously demonstrated that E. scaber combined with Polyscias obtusa significantly enhances the immune system, particularly in terms of CD4 + T cells, CD8 + T cells and TER119 + (a marker of erythrocytes) cells [3].…”