Protective effects of cupressuflavone against doxorubicin-induced hepatic damage in rats

Abstract

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a potent chemotherapeutic agent that is used in various sorts of malignancies. However, its uses are restricted owing to its deleterious effects on different organs including the liver. Cupressuflavone (CUP) is a plant-based flavonoid which is well known for its biological as well pharmacological potential. Our investigation aimed to evaluate the ameliorative potential of CUP against DOX provoked liver toxicity in rats. Twenty-four albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) were distributed into four distinct groups such as control, DOX (3 mg/kg), co- administrated DOX (3 mg/kg) + CUP (40 mg/kg) and CUP (40 mg/kg) only. DOX exposure reduced catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), Glutathione reductase (GSR), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities and glutathione (GSH) content while escalating the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Besides, the levels of ALT, AST and ALP were increased in response to DOX exposure. Furthermore, administration of DOX upregulated the levels of Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and the activity of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). The treatment of DOX reduced the levels of Bcl-2 while escalating the levels of Caspase-3, Caspase-9 and Bax. Similarly, DOX intoxication instigated various histopathological disruptions in hepatic tissues of rats. However, supplementation of CUP notably (p < 0.05) restored abovementioned hepatic dysregulations owing to its anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory as well as anti-apoptotic potential. Our results manifested that CUP could be used as hepatoprotective agent againt DOX induced liver damage in rats.