Diosmetin alleviates nonylphenol-induced liver damage by improving biochemical, inflammatory, apoptotic and histological profile in rats

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Nonylphenol (NP) is an environmental pollutant that is recognized for its hazardous effects on humans and animals. NP has potential to induce oxidative stress that leads to hepatic toxicity. Diosmetin (DIOS) is a naturally occurring bioflavonoid that possesses several biological properties. The current study was designed to ascertain the curative effects of DIOS against NP prompted hepatotoxicity in rats. 32 male albino rats were randomly categorized in 4 groups i.e., control (0.1 % DMSO), NP (50 mg/kg), NP + DIOS (50 mg/kg + 100 mg/kg) and DIOS (100 mg/kg) group. Our results revealed that NP instigated substantial reduction in the antioxidant enzymes activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GSR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-transferases (GST) and glutathione (GSH). NP administration raised the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA). Treatment with DIOS significantly (p < 0.05) recovered activities of antioxidant enzymes, ROS, and TBARS levels. Furthermore, DIOS treatment ameliorated the NP-induced increased level of inflammatory markers i.e., nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity. In addition, DIOS co-treatment also recovered the NP-provoked escalated levels of pro-apoptotic proteins (Bax, caspase-3 and caspase-9) and substantially reduced level of anti-apoptotic protein (Bcl-2) to normal levels. Besides, DIOS treatment recovered the potential histopathological damages in liver tissues. Therefore, DIOS might be an effective therapeutic agent for alleviating NP-induced hepatic toxicity due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic potential.