Ferulic acid protects against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in mice

Ferulic acid (FA), isolated from the root of Scrophularia buergeriana, is a phenolic compound possessing antioxidant, anticancer, and antiinflammatory activities. Here, we have investigated the hepatoprotective effect of FA against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced acute liver injury. Mice were treated intraperitoneally with vehicle or FA (20, 40, and 80 mg/kg) 1 h before and 2 h after CCl4 (20 μl/kg) injection. The serum activities of aminotransferases and the hepatic level of malondialdehyde were significantly higher after CCl4 treatment, while the concentration of reduced glutathione was lower. These changes were attenuated by FA. The serum level and mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-α significantly increased after CCl4 treatment, and FA attenuated these increases. The levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 protein and mRNA expression after CCl4 treatment were significantly higher and FA reduced these increases. CCl4-treated mice showed increased nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), and decreased levels of inhibitors of NF-κB in cytosol. Also, CCl4 significantly increased the level of phosphorylated JNK and p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, and nuclear translocation of activated c-Jun. FA significantly attenuated these changes. We also found that acute CCl4 challenge induced TLR4, TLR2, and TLR9 protein and mRNA expression, and FA significantly inhibited TLR4 expression. These results suggest that FA protects from CCl4-induced acute liver injury through reduction of oxidative damage and inflammatory signaling pathways.