Lygodium flexuosum extract down regulates the expression of proinflammatory cytokines in CCl4–induced hepatotoxicity

ObjectiveTo examine the downregulation of proinflammatory cytokines in a time dependant manner on carbon tetrachloride induced toxicity in experimental animals.MethodsCCl4 (150 μL/100 g) was dissolved in corn oil (1:1 v/v %) and administered orally. Group I was treated as normal control and received corn oil on 8th day. Group II was toxic control and was given a single dose of CCl4 on 8th days. Group III was treated with Lygodium flexuosum (L. flexuosum) n-hexane extract (200 mg/kg) for 8 days and on 8th day a single dose of CCl4 was received. Group IV (negative control) received L. flexuosum n-hexane extract (200 mg/kg) alone for 8 days.ResultsTreatment with n-hexane extract prior to the administration of CCl4 significantly prevented an increase in serum AST, ALT, LDH activity and lipid peroxidation and prevented the depletion of glutathione (GSH). Rats treated with L. flexuosum had reduced mRNA levels of TGF-β1, TNF-α and IL-1β genes in liver of CCl4 intoxicated rats when compared to CCl4 control as evidenced by RT-PCR.ConclusionsThe data suggest that L. flexuosum, a widely available fern, significantly reduces CCl4 induced acute hepatotoxicity by down-regulating the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in rats.