Gingerol protects against experimental liver fibrosis in rats via suppression of pro-inflammatory and profibrogenic mediators

Research Progress on Natural Products Alleviating Liver Inflammation and Fibrosis via NF-κB Pathway

Liver fibrosis is a key pathological process in chronic liver diseases, regulated by various cytokines and signaling pathways. Among these, the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) signaling pathway plays a significant role in the initiation and progression of liver fibrosis. Recently, natural products have garnered attention as potential anti-fibrotic agents. This review highlights recent studies on how natural products, including flavonoids, terpenoids, polysaccharides, phenols, alkaloids, quinones, phenylpropanoids, steroids, and nitrogen compounds, mitigate liver fibrosis by modulating the NF-κB signaling pathway. Specifically, it examines how these natural products influence NF-κB activation, nuclear translocation, and downstream signaling, thereby inhibiting inflammatory responses, reducing apoptosis, and regulating hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activity, ultimately achieving therapeutic effects against liver fibrosis. A deeper understanding of the mechanisms by which natural products regulate the NF-κB signaling pathway can provide crucial theoretical foundations and valuable insights for the development of novel anti-fibrotic drugs.

Putative role of 6-chogaol against tramadol-induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats via anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, and antiapoptotic effects

Tramadol is a commonly used drug to relieve pain and avoid premature ejaculation in males with hepatotoxic effects, and 6-chogaol has potent anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective properties. The work impetus is probing the hepatoprotective mechanisms of 6-chogaol against tramadol hepatoxicity. Twenty adult male rats were enrolled to obtain four equal groups [control group (G1), 6-chogaol group (G2), tramadol group (G3), and 6-chogaol+tramadol group (G4)]. Liver specimens were excised and processed to evaluate hepatocyte injury through histopathological (HP), immunohistochemical (IHC), flow cytometry, and biochemical investigations. The HP study exhibited hepatic injury in G3 hepatocytes (inflammatory cell infiltration, hepatic fibrosis, and disturbed liver structure). The IHC study showed a significant rise in caspase-3 and reduced PCNA immuno-expression (IE). Likewise, the flow cytometry and biochemical experiments exhibited a substantial elevation of apoptotic hepatocytes and the serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, ALP, ALT, and AST in G3. In contrast, G4 rats significantly improved in all HP, IHC, flow cytometry, and biochemical parameters. Collectively, tramadol intake exerted harmful toxic effects on hepatocytes, whereas 6-Shogaol hampered these changes and served as a natural hepatoprotective agent. Therefore, we advise concurrent intake of 6-Shogaol supplement with tramadol to preserve the integrity of hepatic tissues.

The possible pathogenesis of liver fibrosis: therapeutic potential of natural polyphenols

Liver fibrosis is the formation of a fibrous scar resulting from chronic liver injury, independently from etiology. Although many of the mechanical details remain unknown, activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is a central driver of liver fibrosis. Extracellular mechanisms such as apoptotic bodies, paracrine stimuli, inflammation, and oxidative stress are critical in activating HSCs. The potential for liver fibrosis to reverse after removing the causative agent has heightened interest in developing antifibrotic therapies. Polyphenols, the secondary plant metabolites, have gained attention because of their health-beneficial properties, including well-recognized antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, in the setting of liver fibrosis. In this review, we present an overview of the mechanisms underlying liver fibrosis with a specific focus on the activation of resident HSCs. We highlight the therapeutic potential and promising role of natural polyphenols to mitigate liver fibrosis pathogenesis, focusing on HSCs activation. We also discuss the translational gap from preclinical findings to clinical treatments involved in natural polyphenols in liver fibrosis.

Role of Culinary Indian Spices in the Regulation of TGF-β Signaling Pathway in Inflammation-Induced Liver Cancer

SCOPE

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) results from various etiologies, such as Hepatitis B and C, Alcoholic and Non-alcoholic fatty liver disorders, fibrosis, and cirrhosis. About 80 to 90% of HCC cases possess cirrhosis, which is brought on by persistent liver inflammation. TGF-β is a multifunctional polypeptide molecule that acts as a pro-fibrogenic marker, inflammatory cytokine, immunosuppressive agent, and pro-carcinogenic growth factor during the progression of HCC. The preclinical and clinical evidence illustrates that TGF-β can induce epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, promoting progression and hepatocyte immune evasion. Therefore, targeting the TGF-β pathway can be a promising therapeutic option against HCC.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We carry out a systemic analysis of eight potentially selected culinary Indian spices: Turmeric, Black pepper, Ginger, Garlic, Fenugreek, Red pepper, Clove, Cinnamon, and their bioactives in regulation of the TGF-β pathway against liver cancer.

CONCLUSION

Turmeric and its active constituent, curcumin, possess the highest therapeutic potential in treating inflammation-induced HCC and they also have the maximum number of ongoing in-vivo and in-vitro studies.

Preventive effect of isostrictiniin from Nymphaea candida on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic fibrosis in mice

This study aimed to investigate the preventive effect of isostrictiniin (ISO) from Nymphaea candida against CCl₄-induced hepatic fibrosis (HF) in mice. HF in mice was induced by intraperitoneally injecting 10% CCl₄ olive oil solution twice a week. After intragastric administration for 8 weeks. ISO (25, 50, or 100 mg/kg) could significantly reduce the serum AST, ALT, ALP, HA, LN, PC-III, C-IV, IL-1β, and TNF-α levels in HF mice, and the collagen fiber deposition in ISO group was significantly less than that in the model group. Compared with control group, the protein expression of IKKα, NF-ҡB p65, p-NF-ҡKB p65, p-IҡBα in model group were increased as well as the relative content of IKKα, NF-ҡB p65, and IҡBα mRNA. ISO could reverse the expression of these relative proteins and mRNA in HF mice. Our findings confirm that ISO has anti-HF activity, and its mechanism is related to the regulation of NF-ҡB pathway.

Immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory therapeutic potential of gingerols and their nanoformulations

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe), a member of the Zingiberaceae family, is one of the most popular spices worldwide, known since ancient times, and used both as a spice and a medicinal plant. The phenolic compounds found in ginger are predominantly gingerols, shogaols, and paradols. Gingerols are the major phenolic compounds found in fresh ginger and contain mainly 6-gingerol as well as 4-, 5-, 8-, 10-, and 12-gingerols. Gingerols possess a wide array of bioactivities, such as antioxidant and anticancer, among others. Regarding the different array of biological activities and published data on the mechanisms underlying its action, the complex interaction between three key events, including inflammation, oxidative stress, and immunity, appears to contribute to a plethora of pharmacological activities of this compound. Among these, the immunomodulatory properties of these compounds, which attract attention due to their effects on the immune system, have been the focus of many studies. Gingerols can alleviate inflammation given their ability to inhibit the activation of protein kinase B (Akt) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways, causing a decrease in proinflammatory and an increase in anti-inflammatory cytokines. However, given their low bioavailability, it is necessary to develop new and more effective strategies for treatment with gingerols. In order to overcome this problem, recent studies have addressed new drug delivery systems containing gingerols. In this review, the immunomodulatory activities of gingerol and its underlying mechanisms of action combined with the contributions of developed nanodrug delivery systems to this activity will be examined.

6-Gingerol, a functional polyphenol of ginger, reduces pulmonary fibrosis by activating Sirtuin1

Pulmonary fibrosis in general is the final common outcome of various interstitial lung diseases. In recent years, the incidence of pulmonary fibrosis has been rising with poor prognosis. 6-gingerol is deemed as a functional polyphenol of ginger. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of 6-gingerol, on pulmonary fibrosis. Mice were randomly divided into four groups: control, bleomycin, bleomycin + 6-gingerol 100 mg/kg, bleomycin + 6-gingerol 250 mg/kg, and the survival rates of the groups were recorded. Pathological and fibrotic changes in the lungs were identified by H&E and Masson staining, respectively. The levels of hydroxyproline and protein deposited in lung tissues were then, respectively, determined by colorimetry and western blotting. Subsequently, the proportion of cells and inflammatory factors in the alveolar lavage fluid were estimated. Following the identification of the possibility of Sirtuin1 (SIRT1) in the pharmacological mechanism through molecular docking and western blotting, human embryonic lung fibroblasts MRC-5 were treated with TGF-β1 and SIRT1 inhibitor to study the role of SIRT1 in the regulatory effect of 6-gingerol. From the results, 6-gingerol was found to increase the survival rate of mice and reduce lung pathology and fibrosis in mice. And, it significantly reduced the levels of hydroxyproline and the proteins deposited in lung tissues. Moreover, the number of neutrophils, basophils, monocytes, and the levels of inflammatory factors in the alveolar lavage fluid were also reduced. SIRT1 inhibitor blocked the function of 6-gingerol to inhibit fibrosis. To sum up, 6-gingerol relieves pulmonary fibrosis via activating SIRT1. This finding expands the pharmacological effect of 6-gingerol, and it is expected to advance the development of treatments for pulmonary fibrosis.

Research progress of natural products interfering with cell signaling pathway in liver fibrosis

Liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma are the late stage of liver fibrosis. How to early use drugs to intervene in liver fibrosis is a prerequisite for the reversal of liver fibrosis. This paper mainly introduces a cell signaling transduction pathway in liver fibrosis and the intervention of natural products in order to provide theoretical basis for the treatment of liver fibrosis.

Promising effects of gingerol against toxins: A review article

Ginger is a medicinal and valuable culinary plant. Gingerols, as an active constituent in the fresh ginger rhizomes of Zingiber officinale, exhibit several promising pharmacological properties. This comprehensive literature review was performed to assess gingerol's protective and therapeutic efficacy against the various chemical, natural, and radiational stimuli. Another objective of this study was to investigate the mechanism of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiapoptotic properties of gingerol. It should be noted that the data were gathered from in vivo and in vitro experimental studies. Gingerols can exert their protective activity through different mechanisms and cell signaling pathways. For example, these are mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB), Wnt/β-catenin, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/antioxidant response element (Nrf2/ARE), transforming growth factor beta1/Smad3 (TGF-β1/Smad3), and extracellular signal-related kinase/cAMP-response element-binding protein (ERK/CREB). We hope that more researchers can benefit from this review to conduct preclinical and clinical studies, treat cancer, inflammation, and attenuate the side effects of drugs and industrial pollutants.

6-Gingerol protects against cardiac remodeling by inhibiting the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway

6-Gingerol, a pungent ingredient of ginger, has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, but the effect of 6-gingerol on pressure overload-induced cardiac remodeling remains inconclusive. In this study, we investigated the effect of 6-gingerol on cardiac remodeling in in vivo and in vitro models, and to clarify the underlying mechanisms. C57BL/6 mice were subjected to transverse aortic constriction (TAC), and treated with 6-gingerol (20 mg/kg, ig) three times a week (1 week in advance and continued until the end of the experiment). Four weeks after TAC surgery, the mice were subjected to echocardiography, and then sacrificed to harvest the hearts for analysis. For in vitro study, neonatal rat cardiomyocytes and cardiac fibroblasts were used to validate the protective effects of 6-gingerol in response to phenylephrine (PE) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) challenge. We showed that 6-gingerol administration protected against pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, inflammation, and dysfunction in TAC mice. In the in vitro study, we showed that treatment with 6-gingerol (20 μM) blocked PE-induced-cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and TGF-β-induced cardiac fibroblast activation. Furthermore, 6-gingerol treatment significantly decreased mitogen-activated protein kinase p38 (p38) phosphorylation in response to pressure overload in vivo and extracellular stimuli in vitro, which was upregulated in the absence of 6-gingerol treatment. Moreover, transfection with mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 6 expressing adenoviruses (Ad-MKK6), which specifically activated p38, abolished the protective effects of 6-gingerol in both in vitro and in vivo models. In conclusion, 6-gingerol improves cardiac function and alleviates cardiac remodeling induced by pressure overload in a p38-dependent manner. The present study demonstrates that 6-gingerol is a promising agent for the intervention of pathological cardiac remodeling.

The potential effect of phytochemicals and herbal plant remedies for treating drug-induced hepatotoxicity: a review

Drug-induced liver injury significantly caused by synthetic drugs, and other xenobiotics contribute to clinical hepatic dysfunction, which has been a substantial challenge for both patients and physicians. Traditional medicines used as an alternative therapy because of their pharmacological benefits, less or no side effects, and enormous availability in nature. Phytochemicals are essential ingredients of plants that reduce necrotic cell death, restore the antioxidant defence mechanism, limit oxidative stress, and prevent the inflammation of tissue and dysfunction of the mitochondria. In this review, we principally focused on the potential effect of the herbal plants and their phytochemicals in treating drug-induced hepatotoxicity.

Nutraceuticals: Transformation of Conventional Foods into Health Promoters/Disease Preventers and Safety Considerations

Nutraceuticals are essential food constituents that provide nutritional benefits as well as medicinal effects. The benefits of these foods are due to the presence of active compounds such as carotenoids, collagen hydrolysate, and dietary fibers. Nutraceuticals have been found to positively affect cardiovascular and immune system health and have a role in infection and cancer prevention. Nutraceuticals can be categorized into different classes based on their nature and mode of action. In this review, different classifications of nutraceuticals and their potential therapeutic activity, such as anti-cancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-lipid activity in disease will be reviewed. Moreover, the different mechanisms of action of these products, applications, and safety upon consumers including current trends and future prospect of nutraceuticals will be included.

Bixin attenuates carbon tetrachloride induced oxidative stress, inflammation and fibrosis in kidney by regulating the Nrf2/TLR4/MyD88 and PPAR-γ/TGF-β1/Smad3 pathway

Bixin, an natural carotenoid extracted from the seeds of the Bixa orellana has been shown to possess numerous important pharmacological activities. The present study was aimed to investigate the mechanisms of Bixin on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced kidney inflammation, fibrosis and oxidative stress in mice. Our results showed that Bixin improved renal damage by decreasing the serum levels of creatinine, urea, uric acid and alleviating kidney fibrosis. Bixin ameliorated CCl4-induced inflammation in kidneys by reducing the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β. Bixin suppressed oxidative stress by decreasing the MDA level and increasing the activation of SOD, CAT and GPx. Furthermore, Bixin increased the levels of PPAR-γ, NQO1, HO-1 and the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 in the kidneys of mice. Bixin supplementation inhibited the activation of TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB, TGF-β and Smad3. Thus, this study demonstrated that Bixin possesses anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrosis properties through regulating the Nrf2/TLR4/MyD88 and PPAR-γ/TGF-β1/Smad3 pathways.

Kang-Xian Pills Inhibit Inflammatory Response and Decrease Gut Permeability to Treat Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Chronic Hepatic Injury through Modulating Gut Microbiota

Kang-Xian (KX) pills have been clinically used for the treatment of chronic hepatic injury (CHI). However, the mechanisms of KX on CHI remain unknown. The aim of this study mainly focused on the anti-inflammatory effects of KX in a CHI mouse model based on modulating gut microbiota and gut permeability. We first established a CHI model using carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and treated it with KX. The anti-inflammatory effects of KX on CHI model mice and the changes in gut permeability after KX treatment were also investigated. 16S rRNA analysis was used to study the changes of gut microbiota composition after KX treatment. In addition, gut microbiota was depleted using a combination of antibiotics in order to further confirm that KX could inhibit the inflammatory response and decrease gut permeability to treat CHI by modulating the gut microbiota. Results showed that KX treatment significantly improved liver function in CHI model mice. KX could also increase the levels of tight junction proteins in the colon and decrease the expression of proinflammatory cytokines in the liver. 16S rRNA analysis indicated that KX treatment affected the alpha and beta diversities in CHI model mice. Further analysis of 16S rRNA sequencing indicated that KX treatment increased the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes at the phylum level. At the genus level, KX treatment increased the relative abundance of Lactobacillus, Bacteroides, and Akkermansia and decreased the relative abundance of Ralstonia, Alloprevotella, and Lachnoclostridium. However, KX could not alleviate CHI after depleting the gut microbiota. The effects of KX on gut permeability and inflammatory response in the liver were also decreased following the depletion of gut microbiota. In conclusion, our current study demonstrated that gut microbiota was significantly affected during CHI progression. KX could inhibit the inflammatory response and decrease the gut permeability in CHI model mice through modulating the gut microbiota.

Scoparone alleviates hepatic fibrosis by inhibiting the TLR-4/NF-κB pathway

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of scoparone (SCO) in hepatic fibrosis. For this, we conducted in vivo and in vitro experiments. In vivo rats that were divided into six groups, control, carbon tetrachloride, and colchicine, as well as SCO groups, SCO50, SCO100, and SCO200 treated with 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg SCO doses, respectively. Furthermore, SCO was shown to inhibit Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4)/nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB; TLR-4/NF-κB) signals by inhibiting TLR-4, which in turn downregulates the expression of MyD88, promotes NF-κB inhibitor-α, NF-κB inhibitor-β, and NF-κB inhibitor-ε activation, while inhibiting NF-κB inhibitor-ζ. Subsequently, the decrease of phosphorylation of nuclear factor-κB levels leads to the downregulation of the downstream inflammatory factors' tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-1 beta, thus weakening hepatic fibrosis. Notably, the SCO200 treated group presented the most significant improvement. Hence, we conclude that SCO alleviates hepatic fibrosis by inhibiting TLR-4/NF-κB signals.

Wu-Mei-Wan ameliorates chronic colitis-associated intestinal fibrosis through inhibiting fibroblast activation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Wu-Mei-Wan (WMW), a classic traditional Chinese herb medicine, is one of the most important formulations to treat digestive diseases from ancient times to the present. Previous study showed that WMW has satisfactory curative effects on experimental colitis, which motivating the application of WMW on colitis-associated complications.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Intestinal fibrosis is usually considered to be a common complication of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), particularly Crohn's disease (CD). Currently, no effective preventive measures or medical therapies are available for that. This work was designed to evaluate the effect and related mechanism of WMW on chronic colitis-associated intestinal fibrosis mice model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The chronic colitis-associated intestinal fibrosis mice model was established by weekly intrarectal injection of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). The mice survival rate, disease activity index (DAI), colon length and histological score were examined to assess the therapeutic effect of WMW. Masson's trichrome staining, hydroxyproline assay, immunohistochemical staining and western blot analysis were used to evaluate fibrosis level. Colon inflammation was determined by ELISA and immunofluorescence staining. Immunofluorescence staining was used to evaluate fibroblasts proliferation and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), and the expression of key molecules in fibrosis was analyzed by western blot.

RESULTS

Here we showed that WMW alleviates chronic colitis with improved survival rate, DAI, colon length and histological score. WMW inhibited the progression of intestinal fibrosis, decreased the expression of various fibrosis markers, such as α-SMA, collagen I, MMP-9 and fibronectin. In addition, WMW treatment reduced cytokines IL-6 and IFN-γ, and downregulated proinflammatory NF-κBp65 and STAT3 signaling pathways. Importantly, administration of WMW led to the inhibition of colon fibroblast proliferation and EMT, which are important mediators during fibrosis. Several key profibrotic pathways, including TGF-β/Smad and Wnt/β-catenin pathways, were downregulated by WMW treatment.

CONCLUSION

Our work demonstrated that WMW can prevent intestinal fibrosis and the mechanisms involved may be related to the inhibition of colon fibroblasts activation.

The effect of 6-gingerol on inflammatory response and Th17/Treg balance in DSS-induced ulcerative colitis mice

Background

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a non-specific chronic intestinal inflammatory disease with unclear etiology. Previous studies have suggested that the imbalance of Treg/Thl7 cells may be involved in the development of UC. It was found that 6-gingerol can alleviate the intestinal inflammatory damage and improve the weight loss of colitis mice. However, whether 6-gingerol can regulate the balance of Th17/Treg cells and inhibit the intestinal inflammatory response remains to be clarified.

Methods

In this study, a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mouse model was established, and the effects of 6-gingerol on cytokines and the balance of Th17/Treg cells were observed usingserial assays, including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and Western blotting.

Results

DSS caused the damage of bowel tissue and a 100% weight loss rate in colitis mice. The treatment of 6-gingerol can significantly relieve bowel damage and reduce incidence of weight loss to 16.7% at a low or high dose (P<0.05), which was similar to the therapeutic effect of mesalazine. It was found that DSS can up-regulate the mRNA levels of IL-6 and IL-17 in serum (by qPCR), and the serum and bowel levels of IL-6 and IL-17 (by ELISA); these levels were significantly different from those of the blank group (P<0.05). Furthermore, 6-gingerol was found to inhibit the increase of mRNA levels and serum and bowel levels of IL-6 and IL-17 induced by DSS, which is similar with mesalazine. It was also found that DSS can down-regulate the mRNA level of IL-10 in serum, along with the serum and bowel level of IL-10, with this being significantly different from the levels of the blank group (P<0.05). 6-gingerol could also inhibit the decrease of mRNA levels and serum and bowel levels of IL-10 induced by DSS, which is also similar to mesalazine. In addition, DSS could increase Th17 cell count and decrease Treg cell count in blood, with significant difference from that of the blank group (P<0.05). 6-gingerol could significantly (P<0.05) inhibit the increase of Th17 cells and the decrease of Treg cells induced by DSS, which is similar to the effect of mesalazine. The detection of expression levels of transcription factors RORγT for Th17 and FOXP3 for Treg at both mRNA and protein levels showed that DSS can up-regulate the mRNA and protein levels of RORγT, and down-regulate the mRNA and protein levels of FOXP3. Furthermore, 6-gingerol could significantly (P<0.05) inhibit the up-regulation of RORγT mRNA and protein, and the down-regulation of FOXP3 mRNA and protein induced by DSS, which is similar to the effect of mesalazine.

Conclusions

6-gingerol showed efficacy in the treatment of DSS-induced UC in mice, by regulating the cell balance of Th17/Treg, and by relieving inflammatory responses both systematically and locally.

Soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibition with t-TUCB alleviates liver fibrosis and portal pressure in carbon tetrachloride-induced cirrhosis in rats

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Fibrosis and increased intrahepatic vascular resistance are the hallmarks of chronic inflammatory disorders of the liver and cirrhosis. Inhibitors of the enzyme soluble epoxide hydrolase reduce fibrosis in several disease models. The present study aimed at investigating the effects of soluble epoxyhydrolase inhibition with t-TUCB in tetrachloride-induced cirrhosis in rats.

METHODS

The models were established by CCl₄ (2ml/kg) given subcutaneously for 14 weeks. t-TUCB was concomitantly administered from the tenth week of modelling time. After the models were successfully built, the rats were anesthetized with sodium phenobarbital and portal pressure was determined in the groups. After that, the rats were killed and part of liver tissues were taken for histological analysis. In addition, the levels of intrahepatic inflammatory message factors were measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. The remaining liver samples were processed for assessment of oxidative stress.

RESULTS

t-TUCB administration significantly attenuated portal pressure relative to CCl₄-only rats. This improvement was associated with decreased deposition of collagen in liver, which was supported by reduced mRNA expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), Collagen I, Collagen III, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and increased matrix metalloproteinase-1, -13 (MMP-1, -13) mRNA expression. In addition, t-TUCB decreased the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and NF-κB, within cirrhotic hepatic tissue. Meanwhile, oxidative stress was also alleviated following inhibition of sEH in CCl₄-induced models, as evidenced by down-regulated levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and up-regulated levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px).

CONCLUSION

The soluble epoxyhydrolase inhibitor, t-TUCB alleviates liver fibrosis and portal hypertension through attenuation of inflammatory response and oxidative stress in tetrachloride induced cirrhosis.

Post-treatment of melatonin with CCl4 better reduces fibrogenic and oxidative changes in liver than melatonin co-treatment

Therapeutic effects of melatonin (MEL) in targeting CCl4 -induced liver fibrosis has been widely known, but there is no study comparing oxidative and fibrogenic changes in co- and post-treatment of MEL with CCl4 , which was further aimed in this experiment. Male SD rats were injected with CCl4 (1 mL/kg/i.p./daily) dissolved 1:1 in olive oil for 1 month. Some animals received MEL (20 mg/kg/i.p./daily) diluted in 1 mL PBS in combination with CCl4 (co-treatment), and some rats were treated with MEL, beginning with injection of the last dose of CCl4 for one month (post-treatment). The groups were control, CCl4 , CCl4 -co vehicle, CCl4 -post vehicle, post-CCl4 , MEL co-treatment, and MEL post-treatment. MEL post-treatment group showed significantly lower lipid deposition, serum malondialdehyde (MDA), serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and liver hydroxyproline. This group also had low expressions of Bax and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). MEL post-treatment group revealed higher sera levels of albumin, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Expression levels of metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) and Bcl2 was also higher in this group (P ≤ 0.05 vs co-treatment). Results of the present study indicated that MEL post-treatment is more powerful in reduction of CCl4 -induced liver fibrosis through reduction of oxidative stress and maintenance of matrix balance.

Proanthocyanidin protects against cisplatin-induced oxidative liver damage through inhibition of inflammation and NF-κβ/TLR-4 pathway

Although cisplatin (CIS) is a highly effective anticancer drug, hepatotoxicity is one of the most common adverse effects associated with its use. Recently, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammation are suggested to be key factors in the pathophysiology of CIS-induced acute liver damage. The aim of this study is to investigate the possible protective effect of proanthocyanidin (PRO) against CIS-induced acute hepatotoxicity. Rats were divided into four groups: 1, Control; 2, PRO; 3, CIS; and 4, PRO + CIS. Biochemical studies and histopathology were used to assess liver damage. ROS, inflammatory cytokines, nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-κβ), inducible cyclooxygenase enzyme (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) gene expression, and apoptotic markers were also assessed. PRO pretreatment protected the liver against CIS-induced toxicity as indicated by decreased plasma levels of liver function enzymes and the normal liver histopathology observed in the PRO + CIS group. PRO pretreatment also diminished indicators of oxidative stress in the liver, including nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA). It also increased the antioxidants, reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) in the liver. Plasma interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were all reduced. Liver gene expression of NF-κβ, COX-2, iNOS, and TLR-4 were all downregulated. Furthermore, PRO administration downregulated the liver expression of the apoptotic marker, Bax, while upregulated the antiapoptotic marker, Bcl2. In conclusion, our results revealed that PRO may protect against CIS-induced acute liver damage mainly through inhibition of ROS, inflammation, and apoptosis.