Oral Administration of Mulberry (Morus alba L.) Leaf Powder Prevents the Development of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Stelic Animal Model (STAM) Mice

Abstract

Background/aim: We examined the inhibitory effect of mulberry leaf (ML) (Morus alba L.) administration on the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in stelic animal model (STAM) mice. This STAM mouse model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) closely resembles the progression from NASH to HCC in human clinical practice.

Materials and methods: Streptozotocin (STZ, 200 μg) was administered to C57L/6J mice that were fed a high-fat diet (HFD; STAM mice) with 1% ML ad libitum. After sacrificing, the liver and blood were collected. Biochemical tests of plasma and histologic examination of the liver were performed.

Results: Pathologic examination of all (6/6) liver samples of the STAM mice showed HCC. On the contrary, in STAM mice that received ML, fat deposition and adenoma were observed in 6/6 and 2/6 of the liver samples, respectively, but there was no HCC.

Conclusion: Administration of ML in STAM mice inhibited the progression from nonalcoholic hepatitis (NASH) to HCC. ML may be effective in preventing the development of HCC.

Keywords: Mulberry; hepatocellular carcinoma; high-fat diet; nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; nonalcoholic hepatitis; stelic animal model; streptozotocin.