Aloperine Attenuates Hepatic Ischemia/Reperfusion-Induced Liver Injury via STAT-3 Signaling in a Murine Model.

Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) damage is one of the most common side effects of liver surgery. This pathophysiological process may lead to excessive hepatic damage. Aloperine is an active ingredient isolated from Sophora alopecuroides Linn and has a variety of therapeutic effects, including organ protection. However, the hepatoprotective effect of aloperine against hepatic I/R damage has not yet been determined. C57BL/6 mice were allocated to the sham-operated (sham), hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), and aloperine groups. The mice were exposed to 30 min of hepatic hilum occlusion. Then a 3-h reperfusion was performed. Mice in the sham group underwent sham surgery. Hepatic injury was evaluated by plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and transaminase alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, histological evaluation, cell apoptosis, the number of activated inflammatory cells, and the expression levels of inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6. The protein phosphorylation status of the reperfusion-associated survival pathways was evaluated. Mice with hepatic I/R injury presented increased plasma ALT and AST levels, increased hepatic apoptosis, abnormal histological structure, and elevated inflammatory responses. However, aloperine ameliorated hepatic I/R-induced injury. Moreover, aloperine enhanced the level of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-3 phosphorylation after I/R. Ag490, an agent that inhibits STAT-3 activity, abolished aloperine-induced STAT-3 phosphorylation and liver protection. Aloperine ameliorates hepatic I/R-induced liver injury via a STAT-3-mediated protective mechanism. Patients with hepatic I/R injury may benefit from aloperine treatment. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Hepatic I/R can cause excessive liver damage. This study revealed that aloperine, an active component isolated from Sophora alopecuroides Linn, ameliorates hepatic I/R injury and related liver damage in vivo. The underlying protective mechanism may involve the STAT-3 signaling pathway. These findings may lead to the development of a novel approach for treating hepatic I/R damage in clinical practice.