A normal liver has a regular and clean surface, but in liver cirrhosis it appeared rough and nodular with formations of micronodules and macronodules. the liver tissues. Immunohistochemistry assessment against proliferating cell nuclear antigen did not show amazing proliferation in the ERZO-treated GSK2982772 rats when compared with group 2. Moreover, factions of the ERZO extract were tested on Hep-G2 cells and showed antiproliferative activity (IC503860g/mL). This study showed hepatoprotective effect of ERZO. == 1. Introduction == Ginger orZingiber officinale(family: Zingiberaceae) is usually a perennial reed-like herb GSK2982772 with annual leafy stems. The herb is about a meter tall. The fragrant perisperm of Zingiberaceae is used as sweetmeats by the Bantu tribe [1]. Ginger is usually traditionally used as a common condiment for various foods and beverages such as soup, ginger ale, ginger bread, ginger snaps, parkin, ginger biscuits, and speculoos. Ginger rhizomes contain a number of pungent constituents and active ingredients [2]. The steam distillation of ginger powder is used to produce ginger oil and contains high amount of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, predominantly zingiberene [3]. Gingerol is usually of the major pungent compounds in ginger and can be altered to shogaols, zingerone, and paradol [4] which takes part in several activities such as hepatoprotective [5], antiparasitic [6], antiflarial [7], antimicrobial [8], antidiabetic [9], and radioprotective [10]. Ginger also has a potential remedy against cardiovascular disease [11] and can prevent the development of morphine analgesic tolerance and physical dependence in rats [12]. The herb contains high level of total phenolic and flavonoid, responsible for its high antioxidant activities [13] (for reviews see [14,15]). Liver disease is still a worldwide health problem. It develops in about one-third of patients with chronic liver diseases [16] with considerable level of GSK2982772 morbidity and mortality [17]. Liver cirrhosis is an irreversible process characterized by extra extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition in the liver accompanied with scar formation and destruction of the liver architecture [18]. During liver cirrhosis, the normal tissue is replaced with the scar tissue, which can block the blood flow of the liver. Liver cirrhosis also attenuates the liver’s functions. The liver by itself is able to regenerate the damaged parts, but, during end-stage cirrhosis, the liver is not capable of renovating the damaged cells. Etiology of the liver cirrhosis has a wide spectrum including viruses, toxins, drugs, and life style [19]. Despite several efforts in drug discovery, treatment for liver cirrhosis is still a concern. In fact complementary and option medicine is one of the promising resources for treatment of liver cirrhosis. In traditional remedies herbal drugs have been used for the treatment of liver ailments. Many medicinal plants have been introduced with hepatoprotective potential such asVitex negundo[20],Boesenbergia rotunda[21],Phyllanthus niruri[22],Ipomoea aquatic[23], andOrthosiphon stamineus[24]. The phytochemicals phenolic compounds exhibit antioxidant GSK2982772 properties that scavenge the free radicals and ROS [25]. Antioxidant activity is usually important in the treatment of liver cirrhosis [26,27]. Thioacetamide (TAA) is usually a hepatotoxic chemical and is widely used in induction of hepatic necrosis. Moreover, thioacetamide causes oxidative stress during its metabolism by microsomal CYP2E1. These effects together cause acute hepatitis which consequently leads to apoptosis of liver cells. Several phytochemicals have been reported inZ. officinalewith hepatoprotective activity. For instance, in liver, cineole may inhibit CYP2E1 [28] and tocopherol and hepatocyte lipid peroxidation [29]. Inhibition of active caspase-3, capsaicin, possesses hepatoprotective effect through its antioxidant and free radical scavenging mechanisms [30]. Hepatoprotective activity of the ethanolic extract of rhizomes ofZ. officinale(ERZO) has not been reported specifically. Thus, the present study was to assess the hepatoprotective effect of ERZO against TAA-induced liver cirrhosis in rats. == 2. Materials and Methods == == 2.1. Chemicals == In this study we used TAA (Sigma-Aldrich, Germany) for induction of liver cirrhosis in the rats. Silymarin, a standard drug, was purchased from International Laboratory USA. Ethanol (95%; industrial graded; R&M chemical, UK) and 10% Tween-20 (Merck, Germany), concentrated formalin (3840%; Merck, Germany), Di-natrium hydrogenphosphat (Merck, Germany), sodium dihydrogen phosphate monohydrate (Sigma-Aldrich, Germany), toluene (Merck, Germany), xylene (BDH Laboratory supplies, England), and other ordinary laboratory materials were also obtained for this experiment. == 2.2. Preparation of the Herb Extract == New rhizome of the herb was purchased from a commercial company (Ethno Resources Sdn Bhd, Selangor, Malaysia) and was identified by the voucher specimen deposited at the Herbarium of Rimba Ilmu, Institute of Science Biology, MMP15 University of Malaya. The GSK2982772 rhizome was dried and ground into fine powder using an electrical blender. Fine powder (100 g) was homogenized in ethanol (95%; 500 mL) and left in a conical flask at room heat for 3 days. Then, the mixture was filtered through a fine muslin cloth and a filter paper (Whatman No. 1). Using the Eyela rotary evaporator (Sigma-Aldrich, USA) the extract.