Abstract
This study was designed to assess the potential antifibrotic effect of D-Limonenea component of volatile oils extracted from citrus plants. D-limonene is reported to have numerous therapeutic properties. CCl4-intduced model of liver fibrosis in Wistar rats is most widely used model to study chemopreventive studies. CCl4-intoxication significantly increased serum aminotransferases and total cholesterol these effects were prevented by cotreatment with D-Limonene. Also, CCl4-intoxication caused depletion of glutathione and other antioxidant enzymes while D-Limonene preserved them within normal values. Hydroxyproline and malondialdehyde content was increased markedly by CCl4 treatment while D-Limonene prevented these alterations. Levels of TNF-alpha, TGF-beta, and alpha-SMA were also assessed; CCl4 increased the expression of alpha-SMA, NF-kappa B and other downstream inflammatory cascade while D-Limonene co-treatment inhibited them. Collectively these findings indicate that D-Limonene possesses potent antifibrotic effect which may be attributed to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.