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Quercetin prevents alcohol-induced liver injury through targeting of PI3K/Akt/nuclear factor-κB and STAT3 signaling

Minglin Zhu1, Xuefeng Zhou1, Jinping Zhao1

  • 1Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, P.R. China.

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine
|December 30, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Quercetin, a flavonoid, protects the liver from alcohol-induced injury by reducing harmful biomarkers and boosting antioxidant enzymes. It also modulates key signaling pathways involved in inflammation and cell death.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Pharmacology
  • Hepatology

Background:

  • Quercetin is a flavonoid with known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
  • Alcohol-induced liver injury (AILI) is a significant health concern with limited therapeutic options.
  • Flavonoids like quercetin show potential in managing various diseases, including liver conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the protective effects of quercetin against alcohol-induced liver injury in a mouse model.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying quercetin's hepatoprotective action.

Main Methods:

  • Establishment of an alcohol-induced liver injury mouse model.
  • Administration of quercetin to AILI mice.
  • Biochemical analysis of liver enzymes (AST, ALT), bilirubin, and triglyceride levels.
  • Measurement of antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, GPx) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels.
  • Assessment of inflammatory cytokine (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10) and iNOS levels.
  • Evaluation of apoptosis-related protein expression (Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase-3, PARP) and signaling pathway activation (STAT3, NF-κB, Akt phosphorylation).

Main Results:

  • Quercetin treatment significantly reduced liver enzymes (AST, ALT), total bilirubin, and triglyceride levels in AILI mice.
  • Quercetin increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GPx) and inhibited MDA levels.
  • Quercetin suppressed the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, iNOS) and modulated IL-10 levels.
  • Quercetin inhibited apoptosis by downregulating Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase-3, and PARP expression.
  • Quercetin reduced the phosphorylation of STAT3, NF-κB, and Akt signaling pathways.

Conclusions:

  • Quercetin demonstrates significant hepatoprotective effects against alcohol-induced liver injury.
  • The protective mechanisms involve antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic activities.
  • Quercetin exerts its effects by modulating the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB and STAT3 signaling pathways.
Keywords:
NF-κBPI3K/AktSTAT3alcohol-induced liver injuryquercetin

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