Lygodium flexuosum extract down regulates the expression of proinflammatory cytokines in CCl4 -induced hepatotoxicity

摘要

Objective:To examine the downregulation of proinflammatory cytokines in a time dependant manner on carbon tetrachloride induced toxicity in experimental animals.Methods:CCl4(150 μL/100 g) was dissolved in corn oil(1:1 v/v%) and administered orally.GroupI was treated as normal control and received corn oil on8th day.GroupII was toxic control and was given a single dose ofCCl4 on8th days.GroupIII wastreated withLygodium flexuosum(L. flexuosum)n-hexane extract(200 mg/kg) for8 days and on8th day a single dose ofCCl4 was received.GroupIV(negative control) receivedL. flexuosumn-hexane extract(200 mg/kg) alone for8 days.Results:Treatment withn-hexane extract prior to the administration ofCCl4 significantly prevented an increase in serumAST,ALT,LDH activity and lipid peroxidation and prevented the depletion of glutathione (GSH).Rats treated withL. flexuosum had reduced mRNA levels ofTGF-β1,TNF-α andIL-1βgenes in liver ofCCl4 intoxicated rats when compared toCCl4 control as evidenced byRT-PCR. Conclusions:The data suggest that L. flexuosum, a widely available fern, significantly reduces CCl4 induced acute hepatotoxicity by down-regulating the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in rats.