The hepatoprotective effects of baicalein against CCl4-induced acute liver injury in mice

The aim of the current study was to determine the hepatoprotective effect and possible mechanisms of baicalein on CCl4-induced acute liver injury. Male C57BL/6 mice were treated with or without baicalein before CCl4 challenge. We detected the relative liver weight and the histopathology of the liver. Serum aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities were evaluated. Inflammatory mediators and antioxidant parameters were measured in liver homogenate. Moreover, the activity of nuclear factor (NF-kappa B) was also determined. Our dates showed that baicalein decreased the CCl4-induced elevation of serum ALT, AST, and LHD activities, and improved hepatic histopathology changes. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) in liver were significantly suppressed. Meanwhile, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidases (GSH-Px) in liver significantly were increased, while the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly decreased by pretreatment with baicalein. Furthermore, pretreatment with baicalein significantly inhibited NF-kappa B activation. In conclusion, baicalein has protective effects against CCl4-induced acute liver injury by inhibition of inflammation and oxidative stress.