ERK/NF-kB/COX-2 Signaling Pathway Plays a Key Role in Curcumin Protection against Acetaminophen-Induced Liver Injury

Abstract

Recent experimental studies have highlighted the beneficial effects of curcumin on liver injury induced by acetaminophen (APAP). However, the specific molecular mechanisms underlying curcumin’s hepatoprotective effects against APAP-induced liver injury remain to be fully elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of curcumin on APAP-induced liver injury using a mouse model. In the experiment, mice were subjected to an intraperitoneal hepatotoxic dose of APAP (300 mg/kg) to induce hepatotoxicity. After 30 min of APAP administration, the mice were treated with different concentrations of curcumin (0, 10, 25, or 50 mg/kg). After 16 h, mice with hepatotoxicity showed elevated levels of serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), hepatic myeloperoxidase (MPO), TNF-α, and IL-6, and decreased levels of glutathione (GSH). Moreover, there was an increased infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages following intraperitoneal injection of APAP. However, curcumin-treated mice displayed a pronounced reduction in serum ALT, AST, hepatic MPO, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels, coupled with a notable elevation in GSH levels compared to the APAP-treated hepatotoxic mice. Moreover, curcumin treatment led to reduced infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages. Additionally, curcumin inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK and NF-kB proteins while reducing the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). These findings highlight the hepatoprotective potential of curcumin against APAP-induced liver injury through the suppression of the ERK, NF-kB, and COX-2 signaling pathways.