Role of Harmaline in liver cirrhosis protection via arginase-I activity modulation in liver

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Biochemistry Division, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Damanhour University, Egypt.

2 Biochemistry Division, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Egypt.

Abstract

Background: Liver cirrhosis, the 11th death common cause, is a severe disorder that includes inflammation, oxidative damage, also immune response. Harmaline shows the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms that aid in partial protection of hepatic cirrhosis.
Objective: This work aimed to evaluate the protection effect of harmaline against liver cirrhosis induced by thioacetamide in mice via arginase-1 enzyme activity modulation.
 Methods: The study was carried out on forty male mice divided into four groups. Control group (GI), thioacetamide group (GII), harmaline group (GIII), and co-treated group (GIV). By the end of the experiment, arginase-1 activity and liver enzymes were measured in serum and liver tissue.
Results: The results showed that combined harmaline administration can cause significant suppression of liver inflammation by increasing ariginase-1 activity to nearly normal values. Inhibition of activated myofibroblasts cells and extracellular matrix accumulation was also noticed.
Conclusion: Harmaline has protective role against liver cirrhosis induced by thioacetamide in mice. It can be therapeutically used as a safe liver support after further in vivo studies.

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