Supplementation with gamma oryzanol ameliorates CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis in mice

Abstract

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is a hepatotoxin used to induce the model of hepatic fibrosis in mice. The mechanism by which ccl4 causes hepatic fibrosis is via imbalance in antioxidant system, increase of inflammatory and apoptotic processes. In this sense, gamma Oryzanol (γ-ORY) is a bioactive compound derived from rice oil, which has shown antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. However, the effects of γ-ORY in therapy against hepatic fibrosis has not yet been studied. Thus, purpose of present study was to evaluate the possible hepatoprotective effect of γ-ORY supplementation in a model of hepatic fibrosis CCl4-induced in mice. Male Swiss mice were supplemented with γ-ORY (50 mg/kg, per oral) daily for seven days. 1 h after the last supplementation, CCl4 (1 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) was injected. 24 h after the administration of CCl4, biochemical and histological analysis were performed. CCl4 administration occasioned hepatic fibrosis trough histological alterations and increase of hepatic enzymes. Also, via oxidative, inflammatory (increase of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, TGF- β1, MCP-1 and IFN-γ levels) and apoptotic (increase of caspase 3 and 9 activities) alterations. This study revealed that γ-ORY supplementation prevented all alterations CCl4-induced. Thus, the protective effect of γ-ORY supplementation in hepatic fibrosis was trough antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic activities.