Gomphrena globosa L. extract alleviates carbon tetrachoride-induced liver injury in mice by activating antioxidant signaling pathways and promoting autophagy.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is highly toxic to animal liver and is a major contributor to liver injury. Gomphrena globosa L. (GgL) is an edible plant with anti-inflammation and antioxidation properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential therapeutic effects of GgL on liver injury. METHODS AND RESULTS: A model of chronic liver injury in mice was established by intraperitoneal injection of CCl4 (0.4 mL/kg) for 3 weeks, and the mice were treated intraperitoneally with different concentrations of GgL crude extract (GgCE; 100, 200, 300 mg/kg) or Bifendatatum (Bif; 20 mg/kg) in the last 2 weeks. The results showed that GgCE treatment alleviated the liver injury, improved the pathological changes caused by CCl4 on the mice liver, and enhance the antioxidant capacity. We also found that GgCE increased the expression of antioxidant stress related proteins, decreased the phosphorylation levels of autophagy related proteins PI3K and mTOR, and decreased the expression of LC3 II and P62 proteins. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that GgCE alleviated CCl4-induced chronic liver injury in mice by activating antioxidant signaling pathways and promoting autophagy, indicating a potential therapeutic effect of GgCE on liver injury.