Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Effects of Tranilast against Thioacetamide-Induced Liver Fibrosis in Rats

The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential antioxidant and Hepatoprotective activities of tranilast against TAA-induced liver fibrosis in rats. Methods: Liver fibrosis was induced in rats by intra peritoneal injection of TAA (200 mg/kg) for 6 weeks. Tranilast was administered orally at a dose of 150 and 300mg/kg for 6 weeks before induction of liver fibrosis. Results: Injection of TAA induced hepatic fibrosis that was manifested by a significant increase in the activities of aminotransferases and total bilirubin with a significant decrease in total protein and albumin in serum. Liver homogenate of TAA rats had the lower content of reduced glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) with increased levels of the hepatic malondialdehyde. Histological data presented marked damage in liver sections of TAA rats. Oral dosing of tranilast for 6 weeks before induction of liver fibrosis reversed these altered parameters near to normal values. These results suggest that tranilast could afford significant protection and antioxidant effect in prevention of liver fibrosis.