Protective effects of curcumin against hepatic fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride: Modulation of high-mobility group box 1, Toll-like receptor 4 and 2 expression

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of curcumin on the liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats, and to elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms. Rats were administered with CCl4 together with or without curcumin for 6 weeks. Hepatic damage was evaluated by analysis of liver function tests in serum. Hepatic histopathology and collagen content were employed to quantify liver fibrosis; and activated hepatic stellate cells were assessed. Moreover, the mRNA and protein expression levels of interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1, high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), Toll like receptor (TLR) 2 and TLR4 were determined by quantitative real time PCR, Western blot or immunohistochemistry. Treatment with curcumin significantly attenuated CCl4-induce liver injury, hepatic inflammation and reduced the levels of proinflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-6 and MCP-1). Moreover, curcumin significantly inhibited extracellular matrix deposition, reduced the number of activated stellate cells, and decreased the levels of HMGB1, TLR4 and TLR2 expression in the rat model of fibrogenesis. These results suggest that curcumin could be an effective agent for preventing liver fibrosis and its mechanism may in part be a consequence of the reduction TLR2, TLR4 and HMGB1 expression.

► The molecular mechanisms responsible for antifibrotic effects of curcumin have not been fully elucidated. ► Antifibrotic effects of curcumin are associated with downregulation the TLR2, TLR4 and HMGB1 expression. ► The antifibrotic activities of curcumin merit further clinical investigation for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis.