A study on the inhibition of oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis by Terminalia arjuna against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in wistar albino rats

Abstract

The liver in the process of detoxifying chemicals is prone to injury due to overuse of therapeutic drugs like Acetaminophen and the liver cell death is largely inflammatory mediated. The present study aims to find out the effect of Terminalia arjuna (TA) bark against acetaminophen (APAP) induced liver cell death by testing the antioxidant levels, oxidative stress, and inflammation and apoptosis markers. In the present study, five groups (6 animals in each group) were considered for the experimental animal study. Control group, Acetaminophen (APAP) group, N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) group, Terminalia arjuna (TA) 250 mg/kg and Terminalia arjuna (TA) 500 mg/kg group. The antioxidant Glutathione (GSH), Lipid peroxidation (MDA), Interleukin 1β (IL-1β) levels, caspase-9 levels, and Protein kinase B (P-AKT) gene expression levels were assessed. The results indicated that pre-treated animals with Terminalia arjuna high dose bark had shown increased Glutathione (GSH) levels, thinned out malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, Inhibited IL-1β level, Caspase-9 levels and elevated gene expression level of P-AKT to regulate the cell signaling pathway. Hence, the study indicates that a high dose of TA 500 mg/kg ameliorated acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity.