Role of andrographolide in protection of CCl4-induced acute liver injury in mice / 实用医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the role of andrographolide (AP) in protection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced acute liver injury in mice and the possible mechanisms. Methods The mice were randomly divided into five groups, including two groups with different doses of AP (50 mg/kg and100 mg/kg), a control group, a CCl4 model group, and a silymarin group. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartateminotransferase (AST), hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione (GSH) were examined. Pathological changes in the liver were observed. RT-PCR was used to detect the expressions of tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-α) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) mRNA. Results As compared with CCl4 model group, serum levels of ALT and AST and hepatic MDA activity were significantly decreased in AP group (100 mg·kg-1), along with a remarkable increase in hepatic GSH content. Pretreatment with AP at a high dose alleviated histopathological changes induced by CCl4. A markedly increased level of TNF-a induced by CCl4 was reduced by AP, while HO-1at transcriptional level was dramatically elevated following AP pretreatment. Conclusions AP plays a role in protection of CCl4-induced acute liver injury by inhibiting lipid peroxidation and reducing formation of free radicals, the mechanism may be involved in inhibition of TNF-αand activation of HO-1.