γ-Mangostin abrogates AINT-induced cholestatic liver injury: Impact on Nrf2/NF-κB/NLRP3/Caspase-1/IL-1β/GSDMD signalling

Abstract

γ-Mangostin (γ-MN) is one of the abundant xanthones separated from Garcinia mangostana (Clusiaceae) pericarps that has been reported to have varied bioactivities such as neuroprotective, cytotoxic, antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammation. Yet, its effect on cholestatic liver damage (CLI) has not been investigated. This study explored the protective activity of γ-MN against alpha-naphthyl isothiocyanate (ANIT)-induced CLI in mice. The results showed that γ-MN protected against ANIT-induced CLI as indicated by reduced serum levels of hepatic injury parameters (e.g., ALT, AST, γ-GT, ALP, LDH, bilirubin, and total bile acids). ANIT-induced pathological lesions were improved in γ-MN pre-treated groups. γ-MN exerted potent antioxidant effects as it lowered the parameters of lipid peroxidation (4-HNE, PC, and MDA) and intensified the content and activity of antioxidants (TAC, GSH, GSH-Px, GST, and SOD) in the hepatic tissue. Furthermore, γ-MN enhanced the signalling of Nrf2/HO-1 as it augmented the mRNA expression of Nrf2/downstream genes (HO-1/GCLc/NQO1/SOD). The binding capacity and the immuno-expression of Nrf2 were also increased. γ-MN showed anti-inflammatory capacity as it suppressed the activation of NF-κB signalling, it decreased mRNA expression and levels of NF-κB/TNF-α/IL-6 and the immuno-expression of NF-κB/TNF-α. In addition, γ-MN inhibited the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome as it lowered the mRNA expression of NLRP3/caspase-1/IL-1β along with their levels as well as the immuno-expression of caspase-1/IL-1β. γ-MN also reduced the level of the pyroptotic parameter GSDMD. Collectively, this study demonstrated the potent hepatoprotective potential of γ-MN against CLI which was linked to its ability to potentiate Nrf2/HO-1 and to offset NF-κB/NLRP3/Caspase-1/IL-1β/GSDMD. Hence, γ-MN may be suggested as a new candidate for cholestatic patients.

Keywords: Cholestatic liver injury; Drug discovery; Garcinia mangostana; Health and wellbeing; Inflammation; NF-κB/NLRP3/Caspase-1/IL-1β/GSDMD; Nrf2; Xanthones; γ-Mangostin.