Hepatoprotective effects of Gynura procumbens against thioacetamide-induced cirrhosis in rats: Targeting inflammatory and oxidative stress signalling pathways

Gynura procumbens is an edible flowering plant that has been utilized as traditional therapy for numerous diseases. The current experiment investigates the hepatoprotective potentials of the ethanol extract of Gynura procumbens leaf (EEGPL) against thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver cirrhosis in rats. Thirty Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 clusters: A, rats received orally 10% Tween 80 and intraperitoneal (i.p) inoculation of sterile distal water; B, rats received orally10% Tween 80; C, rats received orally daily 50 mg/kg of silymarin, while groups; D and E, rats received orally daily doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg of EEGPL, respectively. Furthermore, B-E clusters received 200 mg/kg thioacetamide (i.p) three times a week for 60 days. The liver gross morphology of rats that received only TAA (B) revealed irregular rough surface layers compared to smoother livers of rats that received EEGPL. Histopathology of group B revealed clear hepatic necrosis and fibrous connective tissue, which were significantly reduced in C-E groups. EEGPL treatment caused a significant down-regulation of PCNA and α-SMA protein expressions. Antioxidant (SOD and CAT) enzymes in hepatic homogeneity were meaningfully lower, and MDA levels were significantly higher in TAA controls compared to those of C-E groups. Moreover, EEGPL treatment caused a reduction of TNF-α and IL-6 and increased expression of IL-10 cytokines. Therefore, the hepatoprotective potentials of EEGPL might be contributed to its modulation of detoxification enzymes, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities.