Flavone improves liver damage in nicotine-exposed rats via the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway

Abstract

Objective: To assess the hepatoprotective effects of flavone on nicotine-induced liver damage. Methods: Thirty-six rats were allocated into six groups: the control group, the nicotine group, the flavone alone groups (10 and 25 mg/kg/body weight), and the nicotine groups treated with flavone (10 and 25 mg/kg/body weight). Liver function, oxidative stress, Nrf2 pathway (HO-1, Nrf2, and Keap-1), and inflammatory markers (IL-17, TNF-α, and NF-κB) were evaluated. Additionally, a histopathological examination of liver tissues was performed. Results: Nicotine increased liver damage, inflammation, and oxidative stress. However, flavone suppressed nicotine-induced liver enzymes, oxidative stress, and inflammation, as manifested by increased antioxidants and decreased malondialdehyde level, liver enzymatic activities, and inflammatory markers. Flavone (10 and 25 mg/kg/body weight) also reduced the level of Keap-1 and increased HO-1 and Nrf2 levels in the liver of nicotine-exposed rats. Conclusions: Flavone has hepatoprotective properties and may slow the progression of liver injury by reducing oxidative stress, liver enzymes, and inflammation possibly via the Nrf2 pathway.

Keywords

Flavone / Nicotine / Liver / Nrf2 / HO-1 / NF-κB

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Prof. Dr. Ahmed Osman (professor of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University) for his assistance in the histopathological examination.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare there is no conflict of interest.

Funding

The study received no extramural funding.

Data availability statement

The data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding authors upon request.

Authors’ contributions

NAE conducted all experimentation. FSMM and ESAA conceived the study, provided data, experimental design, and helped write the manuscript. AH conceived the study and directed it, and wrote the manuscript. OARAZ conceived the study and supervised the work. All authors agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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