Curcumin and Saikosaponin A Inhibit Chemical-Induced Liver Inflammation and Fibrosis in Rats

Curcumin and saikosaponin A as antioxidants improve antioxidant status. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic actions of curcumin and saikosaponin A on CCl4- induced liver damage. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control, CCl4, CCl4+ curcumin (0.005%; CU), CCl4 + saikosaponin A (0.004%; SS), and CCl4 + curcumin + saikosaponin A(0.005% + 0.004%; CU + SS) groups. Carbon tetrachloride (40% in olive oil) at a dose of 0.75 ml/kg was injected intraperitoneally once a week. Curcumin and saikosaponin A were supplemented alone or in combination with diet 1 week before CCl4 injection for 8 weeks. After 8-week supplementation, histopathological results showed hepatic collagen deposition was significantly reduced in the CU and SS groups, and activated nuclear factor-kappa B expression induced by CCl4 in the liver was significantly inhibited by curcumin and/or saikosaponin A. Hepatic proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 beta, and interleukin-6 were significantly inhibited, and anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 was significantly increased by supplementation with curcumin and/or saikosaponin A. Additionally, curcumin and/or saikosaponin A significantly reduced the increased levels of hepatic transforming growth factor-beta 1 and hydroxyproline after CCl4 treatment. Therefore, supplementation with curcumin and/or saikosaponin A suppress inflammation and fibrogenesis in rats with CCl4-induced liver injury. However, the combination has no additive effects on anti-inflammation and antifibrosis.