recited elements but not excluding others similarly u201c consisting essentially of u201d is used to define methods and compositions that include the recited elements but exclude other elements that may have an essential significance on the stimulation of hepatocyte proliferation and liver regeneration for example a composition consisting essentially of an a 3 ar agonist will not include or include only insignificant amounts amounts that will have an insignificant effect on the anti inflammatory effect of the composition of other active ingredients that have an hepatocyte proliferation and liver regeneration activity also a composition consisting essentially of the active agents as defined herein would not exclude trace contaminants from the isolation and purification method pharmaceutically acceptable carriers excipients preservatives and the like u201c consisting of u201d shall mean excluding more than trace elements of other elements embodiments defined by each of these transition terms are within the scope of this invention further all numerical values e g concentration or dose or ranges thereof are approximations which are varied or u2212 by up to 20 at times by up to 10 of from the stated values it is to be understood even if not always explicitly stated that all numerical designations should be read as if preceded by the term u201c about u201d it also is to be understood although not always explicitly stated that the reagents described herein are merely exemplary and.