• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.13-31
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• 2010

Objective : Bujeonghangam-tang(BH) has been used for cure of tumor as a traditional medicine. This study was carried out to clarify the effect of BH extract on hepatocellular carcinogenesis and hepatic cirrhosis induced by Diethylnitrosamine(DENA) and $CCl_4$ in Rats. Method : Experimental groups were divided into two, 8th and 12th week groups, and subdivided into four; normal group(Nor), cirrhosis and hepatic cancer inducing control group(Con), and BH extract 320 mg/kg/day(BHA) or 640 mg/kg/day(BHB) administered groups to Con. Results: In the 8th week group: The body weight decreased significantly in Con compared with the Nor. The activities of transaminase, alkaline phosphatase(ALP), and lactacte dehydrogenase(LDH) were significantly increased(p<0.05) in the Con compared with Nor, but decreased in the BHA and BHB compared with Con. Alpha fetoprotein(AFP) were the most increased in the Con compared to BHA and BHB. The results of light microscopical observation, a number of hepatocytes were damaged in the Con compared with Nor and BH extract administerd groups. The number of hepatic p53 positive cells was reduced in the BH extract administered groups. According to the electron microscopical observation, hepatocarcinoma cells were observed distinctly in the Con compared with BH extract administered groups. In the 12 weeks group: The results of body were similar to 8th week groups. The activities of transaminase and ALT were significantly increased(p<0.05) in the Con compared with Nor. LDH was significantly(p<0.05) increased in the Con compared with Nor but significantly (p<0.05) decreased in the BHB. Alpha fetoprotein(AFP) were the most increased in the Con among ex perimental groups. The activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD) were significantly (p<0.05) increased in the Con, but the activities of catalase were not increased(p<0.05) compared with Nor. The number of hepatic p53 positive cells was increased in the Con. The results of electron microscopical observation were similar to 8th week groups. Conclusion : These results suggest that ad ministration of BH extract suppress or retard DENA and $CCl_4$-induced hepatocellular carcinogenesis and hepatic cirrhosis in rats.