Domitrović R, Jakovac H, Blagojević G. Hepatoprotective activity of berberine is mediated by inhibition of TNF-α, COX-2, and iNOS expression in CCl(4)-intoxicated mice.
Toxicology 2010;
280:33-43. [PMID:
21095217 DOI:
10.1016/j.tox.2010.11.005]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2010] [Revised: 10/25/2010] [Accepted: 11/16/2010] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated the protective effects of isoquinoline alkaloid berberine on the CCl(4)-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. Berberine was administered as a single dose at 5 and 10mg/kg intraperitoneally (i.p.), 1h before CCl(4) (10%, v/v in olive oil, 2ml/kg) injection and mice were euthanized 24h later. The rise in serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in CCl(4)-intoxicated mice was markedly suppressed by berberine in a concentration-dependent manner. The decrease in hepatic activity of superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD) and an increase in lipid peroxidation were significantly prevented by berberine. Histopathological changes were reduced and the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was markedly attenuated by berberine 10mg/mg. The results of this study indicate that berberine could be effective in protecting the liver from acute CCl(4)-induced injury. The hepatoprotective mechanisms of berberine may be related to the free radical scavenging and attenuation of oxidative/nitrosative stress, as well as to the inhibition of inflammatory response in the liver.
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