The effect of Anoectochilus formosanus on hepatic cytokeratin 18 of mice

Anoectochilus formosanus (AF) is an expensive herb found locally in Taiwan, and is mainly used in helping with circulatory, hormonal and neuronal homeostasis. Recently, it has been reported that the metabolism of arachidonic acid could functionally be used with an AF extract. In this study, BALB/C mice were administered daily with AF extract in an eight-week period. First, normal hepatic architecture is compared between the control group and the AF extract administered livers microscopically. Second, regular and similar hepatic cytokeratins (CK, 8/CK 18 pairs at 50 Kd) are detected in the control group and the study groups. Third, values of serum GPT of the control group and the study groups are within normal limits. The present study indicates that there are no detectable components in AF extract that are harmful to murine liver cells. Moreover, the CK 8/CK 18 pairs of Chang liver cells are pictured normally and with reducing CK 18 density in a forty-eight-hour AF extract administration.