Hepatoprotective role of verbenone against cyclophosphamide-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and fibrosis in Swiss albino mice: insights into the involvement of NF-κB, caspase-3, and TGF-β signaling pathways.

Abstract

Cyclophosphamide (CP), an anti-cancer drug, causes oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis and fibrosis in liver. Verbenone (VRB), a bicyclic monoterpene ketone, having antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties, was selected to investigate its efficiency in reversing CP-induced hepatotoxicity. We hypothesized that VRB having good antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties, might neutralize the CP-induced toxicity and offer liver protection. Seven groups of mice were formed (n = 6): Vehicle Control, CP 200, VRB 200 + CP, VRB 300 + CP, FF 80 + CP, FF 80 per se, and VRB 300 per se. CP (200 mg/kg, i.p.) was injected once on the seventh day, while VRB (200 and 300 mg/kg, p.o.) and fenofibrate (FF, 80 mg/kg, p.o.) were given daily for 14 days. On 15th day, they were sacrificed and samples for biochemical and histological investigation were taken. CP-treated mice showed an increase in malondialdehyde levels, liver enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP, GGT), inflammatory markers (NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6), and apoptotic markers (cleaved caspase-3), with a decrease in IL-10 and antioxidant enzymes (SOD, catalase, and glutathione). VRB administration significantly improved the liver function by reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, fibrosis and apoptosis. It restored antioxidant enzymes and hepatocyte structure as confirmed by histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses. Thus, these findings clearly supported our hypothesis and proved that VRB has a strong hepatoprotective effect that counteracts CP-induced liver toxicity through antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and anti-fibrotic mechanisms. However, further research is needed to be done involving animal cancer models to confirm its potential role and efficiency in reducing CP-induced hepatotoxicity.