Morin: a promising nutraceutical therapy for modulation of the NF-kB/NOX-2/IL-6/HO-1 signaling pathways in paracetamol-induced liver toxicity

Abstract

Introduction: Paracetamol overdose potentially causes liver injury. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of morin against paracetamol overdose-induced hepatotoxicity. Methods: Thirty albino rats weighing 185 ± 5 g were randomly selected from five groups: group I: orally administered with 1% Tween 80; group II: administered with 1 g paracetamol; group III: administered with 1 g paracetamol and 50 mg morin; group IV: administered with 100 mg paracetamol and morin; and group V: administered with 100 mg paracetamol and silymarin, with all treatments administered for 14 days. Results: Morin and silymarin significantly protected the rats against induced alterations in the plasma total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, and HDL-C levels as well as the liver ALT, AST, ALP, LDH, protein thiol, GSH, SOD, CAT, MDA, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels. Furthermore, morin significantly inhibited the expression of NF-κB, NADPH oxidase-2, and interleukin-6 and induction of heme oxygenase-1 compared with paracetamol. The histological results indicated that morin protected the liver tissues against the toxic effect of paracetamol. Conclusion: Morin significantly depletes the side effects of paracetamol and protects the liver tissue from the resulting free radicals.