The flavonoid quercetin inhibits dimethylnitrosamine-induced liver damage in rats

Quercetin, one of the most abundant flavonoids in human diet has been reported to exhibit a wide range of pharmacological properties. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of quercetin on hepatic injury induced by dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) in rats. Treatment with DMN caused a signific...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology 2003-08, Vol.55 (8), p.1169-1174
Main Authors: Lee, Eun-Sil, Lee, Hye-Eun, Shin, Ji-Young, Yoon, Sik, Moon, Jeon-Ok
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
Digestive system
Dimethylnitrosamine - toxicity
Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental - chemically induced
Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental - metabolism
Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental - prevention & control
Male
Medical sciences
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
Quercetin - pharmacology
Quercetin - therapeutic use
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Summary:Quercetin, one of the most abundant flavonoids in human diet has been reported to exhibit a wide range of pharmacological properties. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of quercetin on hepatic injury induced by dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) in rats. Treatment with DMN caused a significant decrease in body and liver weight. Oral administration of quercetin (10 mg kg−1 daily for 4 weeks) remarkably prevented this DMN‐induced loss in body and liver weight and inhibited the elevation of serum alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase and bilirubin levels. Quercetin also increased serum albumin and hepatic glutathione levels and reduced the hepatic level of malondialdehyde. Furthermore, DMN‐induced elevation of hydroxyproline content was reduced in the quercetin treated rats, the result of which was consistent with a reduction in type I collagen mRNA production and histological analysis of liver tissue stained with Sirius red. A reduction in hepatic stellate cell activation, as assessed by α‐smooth muscle actin staining, was associated with quercetin treatment as well as a reduction in transforming growth factor‐β1 expression. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that quercetin exhibited in‐vivo hepatoprotective and anti‐fibrogenic effects against DMN‐induced liver injury and suggest that quercetin may be useful in the preventing the development of hepatic fibrosis.
ISSN:0022-3573
2042-7158
DOI:10.1211/0022357021396