Ferulic acid attenuates ischemia/reperfusion-induced hepatocyte apoptosis via inhibition of JNK activation

Ferulic acid (FA), a phenolic compound found in various medicinal plants, has hepatoprotective effects against oxidative stress and inflammation. Here, we investigated the protective effects and the specific mechanisms of FA against hepatocyte apoptosis caused by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). Mice were treated intraperitoneally with vehicle or FA 30min prior to 60min of ischemia. After 5h of reperfusion, serum aminotransferase activities and hepatic lipid peroxidation were elevated and hepatic glutathione content was depleted. These alterations were attenuated by FA. I/R increased caspase-3 activity and release of cytochrome c, and these were suppressed by FA. FA also attenuated the increases in the serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels and TNF receptor type 1-associated DEATH domain protein and TNF receptor-associated factor 2 protein expressions. The cytosolic levels of Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), truncated BH3 interacting domain death agonist (tBid), and Bcl-2-like protein 11 were upregulated after reperfusion. The increases in Bax and tBid protein expression were attenuated by FA. Moreover, I/R induced c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1 (JNK1) and JNK2 phosphorylation, and FA attenuated the JNK activation. FA protects against I/R-induced hepatocyte apoptosis by attenuating oxidative stress and JNK activation.