Inhibition of oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis by Terminalia arjuna against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar albino rats

Abstract

Overuse of therapeutic drugs such as acetaminophen often affects liver, and may lead to inflammatory mediated liver cell death. Here, we studied the effect of <em>Terminalia arjuna</em> (TA) bark against acetaminophen (APAP) induced liver cell death/injury by testing the antioxidant levels, oxidative stress, and inflammation and apoptosis markers. Wistar albino male rats weighing 180-280 mg/kg were made into 5 groups of 6 animals each and were treated as follows: Gr. I, control; Gr. II, acetaminophen (APAP); GR. III, N-acetylcysteine (NAC); Gr. IV & V, <em>Terminalia arjuna</em> (TA) 250 and mg/kg. The antioxidant glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation (MDA), <em>interleukin 1β</em> (<em>IL-1β</em>) levels, caspase-9 levels, and Protein kinase B (P-AKT) gene expression levels were assessed. The rGr. V animals pre-treated with <em>Terminalia arjuna</em> high dose bark showed increased glutathione (GSH) levels, but decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels; inhibited IL-1β and caspase-9 levels; and also elevated gene expression level of P-AKT to regulate the cell signaling pathway. Apparently, the results demonstrated that a high dose of TA 500 mg/kg ameliorated acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity.