Protective/preventive effects of quercetin against cyclophosphamide-induced hepatic inflammation, apoptosis and fibrosis in rats

Background and Aim The purpose of this study was to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of quercetin, a potent antioxidant, against hepatotoxicity caused by cyclophosphamide (CYC) in the rat liver using histopathological parameters.Materials and Methods Thirty female rats were divided into five groups - control, quercetin (Q), CYC, Q+CYC, and CYC+Q. At the end of the study, the liver tissues were removed and stained with routine histological hematoxylin and eosin, Periodic acid-Schiff, and Masson's trichrome. Caspase-3 (Cas-3), B-cell lymphoma protein 2-associated X (Bax), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta) levels were investigated in immunohistochemically stained liver tissues.Results Histopathological examination showed that CYC caused impairment and degeneration in the structure of the hepatocyte cordon, necrosis in the periportal space, sinusoidal dilatation (p=0.000), congestion and edema (p=0.000), mononuclear cell infiltration, and increased connective tissue density (p=0.000). Cas-3, Bax, TNF-alpha, and IL-1 beta immunoreactivities were significantly higher in the CYC group (for all, p=0.000). Q administration gradually reduced histopathological structural damage and Cas-3, Bax, TNF-alpha (p=0.000), and IL-1 beta (p=0.000) intensity in the rat liver.Conclusion The administration of Q protected the liver tissue against CYC-induced damage, and successfully protected the liver against apoptosis, inflammation, and histopathological changes.