Effect of glycyrrhizin on lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine-induced acute hepatitis in albino rats

Abstract

Background Acute liver diseases constitute a global concern. Medical treatments for these diseases have limited efficacy. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and D-galactosamine (D-GaIN) cause hepatic failure in rodents. Glycyrrhizin (GL) was reported to treat increased serum aminotransferase activity in chronic hepatitis. However, its role in acute hepatitis remains unclear. Aim of the study To investigate the protective and curative effect of GL in an animal model of acute hepatitis. Materials and methods Thirty adult male albino rats were divided into five groups: group I=control group, group II=LPS/D-GaIN-induced hepatitis model, group III=treated with GL ½ h before LPS/D-GaIN injection, groups IV=treated ½ h after LPS/D-GaIN, and group V=treated 4 h after LPS/D-GaIN. Serum ALT and AST levels were assayed. Animals were killed by decapitation. Livers were processed for histological and immunohistochemical studies. The results were statistically analyzed. Results This study revealed hepatocellular degeneration, and many hepatocytes exhibited apoptosis-like features after LPS/D-GaIN administration. Pretreatment with GL significantly improved this microscopic picture, whereas posttreatment with GL also reduced the effects of LPS/D-GaIN, but this reduction decreased with the time of administration. There was a significant increase in caspase-3-immunolabeled hepatocytes and in tumor necrosis factor α-immunolabeled Kupffer cells in group II compared with the control, whereas a significant decrease was observed in groups III and IV, and to a lesser extent in group V compared with group II (all P<0.05). Serum levels of ALT and AST showed a significant increase in group II compared with the control, whereas a significant decrease was observed in groups III and IV, and to a lesser extent in group V (all P<0.05), which was in harmony with the histological results. Conclusion This study provides evidence for the protective and curative effect of GL against LPS/D-GaIN-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. The anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects of GL evidently provide a new insight in treating acute hepatitis.