Abstract:
Cancer is a major public health problem and the second leading cause of mortality around the
world. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers, associated with
high mortality. Almost 80% of HCC cases are associated with chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis
resulting from inflammation and fibrosis. Therefore, novel therapeutic agents with multifactorial
effects are urgently needed for the treatment of chronic hepatitis and prevention of other hepatic
diseases.
Lirioresinol B Dimethyl ether (LBDE) is a bioactive phytochemical obtained from seed oil of
Magnolia Fargesii, with anti-inflammatory activity. In this study, Balb/c mice were used to
induce hepatic fibrosis by administration of diethyl nitrosamine (DEN) and carbon tetra chloride
(CCl4) for a period of 10 weeks, followed by treatment with LBDE and 5-flourouracil (5-FU, as
a positive control).
The histopathological examination revealed that LBDE treatment recovered fibrosis was at week
14, while mice treated with only DEN/CCl4 had severe fibrotic liver. Furthermore, the serum
levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in serum significantly
increased in DEN/CCl4 model group as compared with the control. The serum levels of LBDE
and 5-FU were decreased and were more towards the normal range. Treatment with 5-FU
showed a significant decrease in the lipid peroxidation as confirmed by decrease concentration of
malondialdehyde and increase in antioxidant enzymes such as super oxide dismutase and
reduced glutathione. Increased level of antioxidants in liver of LBDE and 5-FU treated group
indicated the healing of hepatocytes as compared to DEN/CCL4 group. The immunoblot analysis
revealed inhibition of COX-2 and NFҡB by LBDE as indicated by western blot analysis. Our
result confirmed the potential therapeutic role of LBDE for the treatment and prevention of
hepatic diseases
