Lupeol prevents acetaminophen-induced in vivo hepatotoxicity by altering the Bax/Bcl-2 and oxidative stress-mediated mitochondrial signaling cascade

Lupeol, a triterpene, possesses numerous pharmacological activities, including anti-malarial, anti-arthritic and anti-carcinogenic properties. The present study was conducted to explore the hepatoprotective potential of lupeol against acetaminophen (AAP)-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats. Rats were given a prophylactic treatment of lupeol (150mg/kg body weight, p.o., for 30 consecutive days) with a co-administration of AAP (1g/kg body weight). The modulatory effects of lupeol on AAP-induced hepatotoxicity were investigated by assaying oxidative stress biomarkers, serum liver toxicity markers, pro/anti apoptotic proteins, DNA fragmentation and by the histopathological examination of the liver. Lupeol significantly prevented hepatic damage as evident from the histopathological studies and significant decline in serum trans-aminases. The alterations in cellular redox status (p