Cannabidiol protects the liver from α-Amanitin-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress through the regulation of Nrf2

alpha-Amanitin, the primary lethal toxin of Amanita, specifically targets the liver, causing oxidative stress, hepatocyte apoptosis, and irreversible liver damage. As little as 0.1 mg/kg of alpha-amanitin can be lethal for humans, and there is currently no effective antidote for alpha-amanitin poisoning. Cannabidiol is a non-psychoactive natural compound derived from Cannabis sativa that exhibits a wide range of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiapoptotic effects. It may play a protective role in preventing liver damage induced by alpha-amanitin. To investigate the potential protective effects of cannabidiol on alpha-amanitin-induced hepatocyte apoptosis and oxidative stress, we established alpha-amanitin exposure models using C57BL/6J mice and L-02 cells in vitro. Our results showed that alpha-amanitin exposure led to oxidative stress, apoptosis, and DNA damage in both mouse hepatocytes and L-02 cells, resulting in the death of mice. We also found that cannabidiol upregulated the level of Nrf2 and antioxidant enzymes, alleviating apoptosis, and oxidative stress in mouse hepatocytes and L-02 cells and increasing the survival rate of mice. Our findings suggest that cannabidiol has hepatoprotective effects through the regulation of Nrf2 and antioxidant enzymes and may be a potential therapeutic drug for Amanita poisoning.