The present study investigated the possible protective role of Withania somnifera (Linn.) Dunal (Solanaceae) root powder against bromobenzene-induced oxidative damage in rat liver mitochondria. Administration of bromobenzene (10 mmol/kg body weight) to rats resulted in increased levels of liver marker enzymes, lipid peroxidation, TNF-α, IL-1β and VEGF. There was also marked depletion in the levels of mitochondrial enzymes and antioxidant activity. Pre-treatment with W. somnifera significantly decreased the levels of liver marker enzymes, TNF-α, IL-1β, VEGF and ameliorated histopathological manifestations in bromobenzene-treated rats. The molecular docking analysis predicted that the pro-inflammatory mediator NF-κB showed significant interaction with selected various active components of W. somnifera (withaferin A, withanolide D and withanolide E). This study demonstrates a good protective effect of W. somnifera against bromobenzene-induced oxidative stress.
Keywords: Antioxidant; BB, Bromobenzene; Bromobenzene; Bromobenzene (CID:7961); CAT, catalase; GPx, glutathione peroxidase; GSH, reduced glutathione; GST, glutathione-s-transferase; Glutathione; Glutathione (CID: 124886); Lipid peroxidation; Oxidative stress; Pyrogallol (CID: 1057); ROS, reactive oxygen species; SOD, superoxide dismutase; Tricarboxylic acid (CID:643757); WS, Withania somnifera.