18?-Glycyrrhetinic acid exerts protective effects against cyclophosphamide-induced hepatotoxicity: potential role of PPAR? and Nrf2 upregulation.
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ABSTRACT: 18?-Glycyrrhetinic acid (18?-GA) has been proposed as a promising hepatoprotective agent. The current study aimed to investigate the protective action and the possible mechanisms of 18?-GA against cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced liver injury in rats, focusing on the role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR?) and NF-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2). Rats were administered 18?-GA at doses 25 and 50 mg/kg 2 weeks prior to CP injection. Five days after CP administration, animals were sacrificed and samples were collected. CP induced hepatic damage evidenced by the histopathological changes and significant increase in serum pro-inflammatory cytokines, liver marker enzymes, and liver lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide (NO) levels. 18?-GA counteracted CP-induced oxidative stress and inflammation as assessed by restoration of the antioxidant defenses and diminishing of pro-inflammatory cytokines, lipid peroxidation, and NO production. These hepatoprotective effects appear to depend on activation of Nrf2 and PPAR?, and subsequent suppression of nuclear factor-kappa B. In conclusion, the present study provides evidence that 18?-GA exerts hepatoprotective effects against CP through induction of antioxidant defenses and suppression of inflammatory response. This report also confers new information that 18?-GA protects liver against the toxic effect of chemotherapeutic alkylating agents via activation of Nrf2 and PPAR?.
SUBMITTER: Mahmoud AM
PROVIDER: S-EPMC4575654 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Nov
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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