Abstract
6-Gingerol (Gin) is known to possess hepatoprotective effects. Liver fibrosis is a major health concern that results in significant morbidity and mortality. There is no FDA-approved medication for liver fibrosis. The present work aimed at exploring the beneficial effects of Gin against liver fibrosis in rats. Experimental fibrosis was induced by challenging animals with CCl4 for 6 weeks. Gin significantly ameliorated the increase in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities, albumin, total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) concentrations, and liver index. These effects were confirmed by light and electron microscopic examinations. The antifibrotic effects were confirmed by examining Masson trichrome-stained liver sections which indicated reduced collagen deposition in Gin-treated animals. Further, Gin administration hampered alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression and significantly reduced hepatic content of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β). Also, Gin elicited profound antioxidant actions as indicated by preventing reduced glutathione (GSH) depletion and lipid peroxide accumulation. The observed antifibrotic activities involved decreased production of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM), and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM). Involvement of Gin anti-inflammatory activity was verified by the decreased expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in livers of animals treated with Gin. Thus, it can be concluded that Gin protects against CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in rats. This can be ascribed, at least partly, to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory effects as well as the inhibition of NF-κB/TLR-4 expression.