Hepatoprotective Mechanism of Apigenin via Suppression of Oxidative Inflammatory Signaling and Apoptosis against Hepatotoxicity Induced by CCl4 in Rats

Background: Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is a critical hepatotoxicant causing liver injury and fibrosis via hepatic production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Apigenin (APG) is a natural bioactive compound and flavonoid antioxidant. We, therefore, evaluated whether APG could mitigate CCl4-mediated hepatotoxicity. Methods: Rats were randomly divided and administered APG and/or CCl4 in Control group, CCl4 group, APG + CCl4 groups (APG: 10 and 20 mg/kg bw) and APG groups (APG: 10 and 20 mg/kg bw) 2 times per week for 7 consecutive weeks. Result: Rats exposed to CCl4 demonstrated marked increases in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and monoamine oxidase (MAO) activities and decreased hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) level compared to control. The hepatic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) decreased appreciably. The CCl4 intoxication caused significant increases in inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) and apoptosis markers, while the anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10) decreased with evident histopathological lesions compared to control. APG-dose-dependently-prevented these hepatic alterations.