ABSTRACT
The relationship between the expression of mitochondrial voltage-dependent anion channels and the protective effects of methanolic extract of Vetiveria zizanioides Linn. Root against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage was investigated. Pretreatment of mice with Vetiveria zizanioides Linn. Root extract [300 and 500 mg/kg] significantly blocked the carbon tetrachloride-induced increase in both serum aspartate aminotransferase and serum alanine aminotransferase levels. The mitochondrial membrane potential was dropped from -188.0 +/- 2.5 mV to -156.8 +/- 3.0 mV [P < 0.01] after the mice had been treated with carbon tetrachloride. Pretreatment with methanolic extract of Vetiveria zizanioides Linn. Root [300 and 500 mg/kg] attenuated carbon tetrachloride -induced mitochondrial membrane potential dissipation [P< 0.05]. In addition, pretreatment of Vetiveria zizanioides Linn. Root extract at various concentrations exerted a dose-dependent effect against sensitivity to mitochondrial swelling induced by Calcium. Also, 500 mg/kg dose of extract significantly increased both transcription and translation of voltage-dependent anion channels, which was down-regulated by carbon tetrachloride treatment. The above data suggest that Vetiveria zizanioides Linn. Root extract mitigates the damage to liver mitochondria induced by carbon tetrachloride, possibly through the regulation of mitochondrial voltage-dependent anion channels, one of the most important proteins in the mitochondrial outer membrane