Ficus exasperata N-hexane-ethyl acetate extract inhibits lipoxygenase and protects against CCl4 – Induced TNF-α upregulation in Female Wistar Rats

Abstract

Background

The excessive production of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and lipoxygenase activity can lead to various adverse health effects. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has long been used to promote optimal well-being due to its bioactive constituents. Thus, one of the plant ingredients in TCM must be tested.

Objectives

The research seeks to examine the in vitro lipoxygenase inhibitory effects of Ficus exasperata N-hexane-ethyl acetate extract (NHEAE) and its in vivo protective role against CCl₄-induced TNF-α overexpression in female Wistar rats, utilising tissue damage biomarkers, the expression levels of TNF-α, interleukin 10 (IL-10), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB), along with histopathological evaluations of the liver and kidneys and in vitro lipoxygenase inhibition as metrics.

Methods

Thirty-six female Wistar rats were assigned into groups A, B, C, D, E, and F (n = 6). Groups A and B were administered olive oil for fourteen days as a pretreatment. Groups C, D, E, and F received pretreatment with vitamin E at a dosage of 100 mg per kilogram body weight (kg bwt), NHEAE at a dosage of 100 mg/kg bwt, NHEAE at a dosage of 200 mg/kg bwt, and NHEAE at a dosage of 200 mg/kg bwt respectively for fourteen days. Subsequently, groups B, C, D, and E received single-dose injections of CCl₄ on day fourteen, precisely one hour after their last respective pretreatments.

Results

The in vitro lipoxygenase inhibition by NHEAE increases as the concentration of NHEAE increases compared to standard. The NHEAE pretreatment exhibited protective effects against CCl₄-induced impairments by preventing pathological lesions, linkages of tissue damage biomarker enzymes, and overexpression of NF-kB and TNF-α.

Conclusion

NHEAE demonstrated in vitro lipoxygenase inhibition and in vivo protection against CCl₄-induced TNF-α upregulation in female Wistar rats.