Abstract
In the present study a rat model of oval cell‑mediated liver regeneration was constructed to examine the molecular mechanisms of matrine in oval cell‑mediated liver regeneration and the effects of matrine on hepatic function and the expression of OV6 protein and recombination signal sequence‑binding protein Jκ (RBP‑Jκ) and HES1 mRNA. A total of 48 Sprague Dawley rats were equally and randomly assigned to two groups. The model group underwent oval cell‑mediated liver regeneration, whereas the matrine group underwent oval cell‑mediated liver regeneration and received oral gavage of matrine. Expression of OV6 protein was tested by immunohistochemistry and RBP‑Jκ and HES1 mRNA expression was determined by reverse‑transcription polymerase chain reaction. Recovery of hepatic function was faster in the matrine group compared with the model (P<0.05). OV6 protein, RBP‑Jκ and HES1 mRNA expression levels were lower in the matrine than the model group (P<0.05). Matrine promotes oval cell‑mediated liver regeneration through downregulation of the RBP‑Jκ‑HES1 signaling pathway.