Abstract
This study was designed to determine the effects of larval extracts from Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis shade dried larva from Korea and China on liver tissues of hepatic injury groups. The experimental groups are divided into five groups; Normal, carbon tetrachloride single injection ($CCl_4$), Pb-CHI ($CCl_4$ + P. brevitarsis shade dried larva from China), Pb-KOR ($CCl_4$ + P. brevitarsis shade dried larva from Korea) and SIL ($CCl_4$ + 0.35% silymarin) groups. Sprague Dawley rats were oral injected with $CCl_4$ at a dose l mg/kg (20% in corn oil) for induction of liver damage for 4 weeks. Each experimental group was fed with a dose 50 mg/kg of larval extracts based on medicinal preparations from 3 weeks to 4 weeks after $CCl_4$ treatment. At the end of 4 weeks, we evaluated the serum levels of glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate-pyruvate transferase (GPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in serum and the cytokine levels of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$) (TNF-${\alpha}$) and transforming growth factor-${\beta}$ (TGF-${\beta}$) in the cells isolated from spleen and liver. The histological analysis was also conducted. The $CCl_4$ injection reduced body weight, induced congestion of middle lobe and hepatocytic degeneration, resulting in disintegration of hepatic cords, and increased biochemical markers of blood related to hepatic injury. On the other hand, the Pb-CHI and Pb-KOR group decreased the levels of biochemical markers in blood and cytokine levels in spleen and liver. Especially, the Pb-KOR group facilitated the recovery of biochemical values of blood related to hepatic injury, hepatic lesions and fibrosis. Taken together, larval extract from P. brevitarsis might prevent acute hepatotoxicity and enhance the recovery of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis induced by $CCl_4$, and the ingredients could be a promising candidate for the prevention and treatment of hepatic disorders.