title: Hepatoprotective effect of Commiphora myrrha against d-GalN/LPS-induced hepatic injury in a rat model through attenuation of pro inflammatory cytokines and related genes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Commiphora myrrha (Burseraceae), a shrub resembling a small tree, has been used for several centuries for the treatment of various diseases.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study investigates the hepatoprotective activity of C. myrrha ethanol extract against d-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide (d-GalN/LPS)-induced acute hepatic injury in an animal model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rats were pretreated with ethanolic extract C. myrrha (250 and 500 mg/kg; p.o.) for 7 d prior to the induction of an acute phase response by d-GalN/LPS. Animals were sacrificed 24 h after d-GalN/LPS (800 mg/kg and 50 µg/kg i.p.) administration for the biochemical and histological analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The administration of d-GalN/LPS increased plasma aminotransferases (174.47 ± 4.5761 and 260.96 ± 1.9839 µkat/l) and total bilirubin levels (1.012 ± 0.0288 mg/dl), which were attenuated by C. myrrha treatment. Hepatic lipid peroxidation activity and nitric oxide content also increased, while the antioxidant activity measured by GSH (0.76 nmol/g protein), SOD (81.91 U/mg protein), and CAT (15.78 U/mg protein) was reduced. Commiphora myrrha provided significant restoration of GSH (0.815 nmol/gm protein), SOD (140.57 U/mg protein), and CAT (27.02 U/mg protein) levels. Furthermore, the acute phase response elicited by d-GalN/LPS administration enhanced mRNA expressions of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, iNOS-2, and HO-1, which were ameliorated by C. myrrha treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings indicate that C. myrrha considerably reduces the oxidative stress of d-GalN/LPS-induced hepatic injury via multiple pathways including adown regulation of inflammatory mediators and cytokines. Such a property might be sufficient to combat cellular damage caused by various conditions that resemble fulminant hepatitis and could be of a potential clinical application.
authors: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University , Riyadh , Saudi Arabia .
authors: Ajaz
authors: A
authors: Ahmad
authors: Mohammad
authors: M
authors: Raish
authors: Majid A
authors: MA
authors: Ganaie
authors: Syed Rizwan
authors: SR
authors: Ahmad
authors: Kazi
authors: K
authors: Mohsin
authors: Fahad I
authors: FI
authors: Al-Jenoobi
authors: Abdullah M
authors: AM
authors: Al-Mohizea
authors: Khalid M
authors: KM
authors: Alkharfy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000097:blood* / Q000517:prevention & control; D029744:Commiphora; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005688:Galactosamine / Q000633:toxicity*; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D010936:Plant Extracts; D005688:Galactosamine
keywords: Ethanolic extract; fulminant hepatitis; nitric oxide; oxidative stress