Geniposide improves hepatic inflammation in diabetic db/db mice

The current study was designed to investigate the protective role of geniposide (GE) in liver injury in diabetic C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice and to explore the underlying mechanisms. The oral glucose tolerance test was performed, and the levels of insulin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) were determined. The levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor-α were decreased by GE, metformin and fasudil in diabetic db/db mice. Western blotting analysis showed that the expression levels of Rho, ROCK1, ROCK2, p-NF-κBp65 and p-IκBα were significantly reversed by GE treatment. These findings demonstrated that GE exhibits a protective effect on diabetic hepatic inflammation. •GE alleviates diabetic hepatic injury.•GE has strong anti-inflammatory effect.•GE inhibits the Rho/ROCK/NF-κB pathway.