Acot1 and Cyp4a1 Genes are involved in Castor Leaf Extract-Induced Hepatoprotection of Rats
Several plant families were used as medicines for treating various diseases. Ricinus communis
(Castor) has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective properties that substantiated
its use for treating inflammation and liver disorders. In the present study, the hepatoprotective
effects of the ethanol extract of Castor leaves against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver
injury was investigated in rats. The results indicated that an increase in the levels of liver alanine
amino transferase, alkaline phosphatase, and lipid peroxidation, indicated by malondialdehyde
activity, in the CCl4-induced liver injury was significantly reduced in the rats pre-treated with
Castor leaf extract. Also, the albumin, catalase, and superoxide dismutase levels were markedly
increased in the rats pre-treated with Castor leaf extract compared to reduced levels in the CCl4-
injured rats. Based on quantitative real-time-PCR data, our results showed that the increase of
acyl-CoA thioesterase-1 (Acot1) in the CCl4-injured rats was reduced in the rats pre-treated with
Castor leaf extract. However, the decrease of cytochrome P450-4A-1 (Cyp4a1) in the CCl4-
injured rats was alleviated by the pre-treatment of injured rats with Castor leaf extract. Compared to silymarin, the current results approve a hepatoprotective action for the ethanol extract
of Castor leaves against CCl4-induced liver injury and propose a role for Acot1 and Cyp4a1
gene expressions in the mechanism of hepatoprotection.