Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory role of zingerone in ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity

Abstract

Alcoholic liver disease is a direct result of alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity coupled with impaired hepatic regenerative activity. Our aim of the study was to investigate the beneficial effect of zingerone on hepatic oxidative stress and inflammation induced by ethanol in experimental rats. Male albino Wistar rats were divided into four groups. Rats of groups 1 and 2 received isocaloric glucose and dimethyl sulfoxide (2 % DMSO). Hepatotoxicity was induced in groups 3 and 4 by supplementing 30 % ethanol post orally for 60 days. Rats of groups 2 and 4 received zingerone (20 mg/kg body weight in 2 % DMSO p.o) daily during the final 30 days of the experimental period. Ethanol alone administered rats showed significant increase in the plasma and tissue lipid peroxidation markers such as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, lipid hydroperoxides, conjugated dienes, and a significant decrease in the activities of plasma and tissue enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, reduced glutathione, vitamin C, and vitamin E. Moreover, the presence of mast cells and increase in the expressions of inflammatory markers such as NF-κB, COX-2, TNF-α, and IL-6 and decrease in the expression of Nrf2 in the liver was observed in ethanol-fed rats. Supplementation with zingerone to ethanol-fed rats reversed the changes induced by ethanol in the experimental rats. Thus, zingerone, through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, may represent a therapeutic option to protect against ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity.

Keywords: Antioxidants; Ethanol; Hepatotoxicity; Inflammation; Lipid peroxidation; Zingerone.