Protective mechanisms of wogonoside against Lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine-induced acute liver injury in mice

Wogonoside, a bioactive flavonoid extracted from the root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, has been reported to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. In this study, we examined the protective effects of wogonoside against lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and D-galactosamine (D-GalN)-induced liver injury in mice. Mice were given an intraperitoneal injection of wogonoside 1 h before LPS and d-GalN treatment. The results showed that wogonoside inhibited the production of serum Alanine transaminase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), IL-1β, TNF-α, and hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) content induced by LPS/GalN. In addition, wogonoside promoted the expression of Nrf2, NQO-1, GCLC, and HO-1. Wogonoside inhibited the expression of hepatic NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, and IL-1β induced by LPS/GalN. In conclusion, these results suggest that wogonoside protects against LPS/GalN-induced acute liver injury by activating Nrf2 and inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation.