Curcumin inhibits HMGB1 releasing and attenuates concanavalin A-induced hepatitis in mice

Curcumin, a polyphenol extracted from the plant curcuma longa, exhibits a number of pharmacological properties and has been used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. However, the potential protective effects of curcumin in inflammatory liver diseases have not been clearly elucidated. Thus, the current study aimed to investigate the beneficial effects of curcumin on hepatic injury induced by concanavalin A (Con A), and its possible molecular mechanisms in mice. Acute live injury model was established successfully by intravenous administration of Con A (15 mg/kg) in male C57BL/6 mice. Curcumin was administered to mice 2 h prior to Con A injection. It was found that curcumin pretreatment significantly protected animals from T cell-mediated hepatitis as evidenced by decreased elevation of serum ALT, associated with reduced hepatic necrosis, apoptosis and mortality. In addition, curcumin pretreatment markedly reduced hepatic oxidative stress and pro inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α and IFN-γ. Furthermore, curcumin pretreatment dramatically suppressed the releasing of high-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) in liver tissues. These results suggest that curcumin pretreatment protects the mice from Con A-induced liver injury via inhibiting hepatocyte oxidative stress, inflammation and releasing of HMGB1.