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Heshouwu ( Polygonum multiflorum Thunb.) has been a common Chinese medicine and a folk Taoist medicine for over a thousand years. There are two drug forms, Shengshouwu ( Polygoni Multiflori Radix ) and Zhiheshouwu ( Polygoni Multiflori Radix Prapaerata ) in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. In this review, we retrieved articles with such keywords as Heshouwu , liver protection and liver toxicity in the databases of PubMed and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Hepatoprotection and hepatotoxicity of Shengshouwu and Zhiheshouwu in vitro and in vivo , and their clinical settings and adverse drug reactions (ADR) were summarized, analyzed and critically reviewed. In bench research, both drug forms had effects against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, oxidation, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Clinically, Heshouwu was used for treating fatty liver disease (FLD), hyperlipidemia, cirrhosis and hepatitis B. In contrast, both drug forms could lead to drug-induced liver injury and even death in vitro , in vivo and in clinical settings. In addition, the active components of both drug forms had hepatic benefits and toxicity in interaction with emodin, physcion, and probably 2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxy-stilbene-2-O-beta- d -glucoside (TSG). In conclusion, Heshouwu exhibited both hepatoprotection and hepatotoxicity. It is essential to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages when Heshouwu is in clinical use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the major incidence and one of the most life-threatening cancer. How to conquer HCC is a worldwide issue for patients. Zhiheshouwu ( Polygoni multiflori Radix Praeparata) is a Chinese medicinal herb exhibiting both lowering lipid and inhibiting cancer cells. However, it remains a matter if its inhibiting cancer cells is related to its lowering lipid. In this study, we investigate the effects of Zhiheshouwu ethanolic extract (HSWE) on apoptosis and the underlying mechanisms in Bel-7402 cells. The results showed that HSWE inhibited the proliferation with an increased level of ALT and AST in Bel-7402 cells. The decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) was observed in HSWE-treated Bel-7402 cells. The flow cytometry results showed that HSWE triggered apoptosis. Since mitochondrial injury is characterized as intrinsic apoptotic cell death, these data indicated that HSWE may induce intrinsic apoptosis in Bel-7402 cells. In addition, HSWE decreased the production of unsaturated fatty acids, and inhibited the mRNA and protein of SCD1 and its up-stream factor, sterol-regulatory element binding proteins 1 (SREBP1), a master transcriptional regulator of lipogenic gene. Taken together, these data suggest that HSWE induces an intrinsic apoptosis, and reduced unsaturated fatty acids by blocking SREBP1 in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]