Curcumin and saikosaponin a inhibit chemical-induced liver inflammation and fibrosis in rats

Am J Chin Med. 2010;38(1):99-111. doi: 10.1142/S0192415X10007695.

Abstract

Curcumin and saikosaponin A as antioxidants improve antioxidant status. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic actions of curcumin and saikosaponin A on CCl(4)-induced liver damage. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control, CCl(4), CCl(4)+ curcumin (0.005%; CU), CCl(4) + saikosaponin A (0.004%; SS), and CCl(4) + curcumin + saikosaponin A (0.005% + 0.004%; CU + SS) groups. Carbon tetrachloride (40% in olive oil) at a dose of 0.75 ml/kg was injected intraperitoneally once a week. Curcumin and saikosaponin A were supplemented alone or in combination with diet 1 week before CCl(4) injection for 8 weeks. After 8-week supplementation, histopathological results showed hepatic collagen deposition was significantly reduced in the CU and SS groups, and activated nuclear factor-kappa B expression induced by CCl(4) in the liver was significantly inhibited by curcumin and/or saikosaponin A. Hepatic proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta, and interleukin-6 were significantly inhibited, and anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 was significantly increased by supplementation with curcumin and/or saikosaponin A. Additionally, curcumin and/or saikosaponin A significantly reduced the increased levels of hepatic transforming growth factor-beta1 and hydroxyproline after CCl(4) treatment. Therefore, supplementation with curcumin and/or saikosaponin A suppress inflammation and fibrogenesis in rats with CCl(4)-induced liver injury. However, the combination has no additive effects on anti-inflammation and antifibrosis.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / isolation & purification
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Bupleurum / chemistry
  • Carbon Tetrachloride
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / drug therapy*
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / metabolism
  • Collagen / metabolism
  • Curcuma / chemistry
  • Curcumin / isolation & purification
  • Curcumin / pharmacology
  • Curcumin / therapeutic use*
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Fibrosis / chemically induced
  • Fibrosis / metabolism
  • Fibrosis / prevention & control*
  • Hydroxyproline / metabolism
  • Inflammation / chemically induced
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Inflammation / prevention & control*
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Male
  • NF-kappa B / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Oleanolic Acid / analogs & derivatives*
  • Oleanolic Acid / isolation & purification
  • Oleanolic Acid / pharmacology
  • Oleanolic Acid / therapeutic use
  • Phytotherapy
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use*
  • Plant Roots
  • Random Allocation
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Rhizome
  • Saponins / isolation & purification
  • Saponins / pharmacology
  • Saponins / therapeutic use*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / metabolism

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Cytokines
  • NF-kappa B
  • Plant Extracts
  • Saponins
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1
  • Oleanolic Acid
  • Collagen
  • Carbon Tetrachloride
  • Curcumin
  • Hydroxyproline
  • saikosaponin D