Diethylnitrosamine (DEN) is a well-known hepatocarcinogen, and its oral administration causes severe liver damage including cancer. DEN induces the pathogenesis of the liver through reactive oxygen species mediated inflammation and modulation of various biological activities. 6-Gingerol, a major component of ginger, is reported to prevent liver diseases by reducing the oxidative stress and proinflammatory mediators. The present study investigated the hepatoprotective effects of 6-gingerol through the measurement of oxidative stress, anti-inflammatory markers, liver function enzyme parameter, and histopathological analysis. The rats were randomly divided into four groups as the control, DEN treated (50 mg/kg b.w.), DEN+6-gingerol (each 50 mg/kg b.w.), and 6-gingerol only. To evaluate the hepatoprotective effects, liver function enzymes (ALT, AST, and ALP), oxidative stress markers (SOD, GSH, GST, and TAC), lipid peroxidation, inflammatory markers (CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, and ICAM1), haematoxylin and eosin staining, Sirius red staining, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy were performed. The results showed a significant increase in liver function enzymes, oxidative stress, and inflammatory markers in the DEN-treated group as compared to the control group. Besides this, altered architecture of hepatocytes (infiltration of inflammatory cells, congestion, blood vessel dilation, and edema), abundant collagen fiber and organelle structures like distorted shaped and swollen mitochondria, and broken endoplasmic reticulum were noticed. The administration of 6-gingerol significantly ameliorated the biochemical and histopathological changes. The increased expression of TNF-α protein was noticed in the DEN-treated group whereas the administration of 6-gingerol significantly decreased the expression of this protein. Based on these findings, it can be suggested that 6-gingerol may be an alternative therapy for the prevention and treatment of liver diseases.

中文翻译：

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姜的主要成分 6-姜酚通过调节氧化应激和抗炎活性减轻二乙基亚硝胺诱导的大鼠肝损伤

二乙基亚硝胺 (DEN) 是一种众所周知的肝癌物质，其口服会导致严重的肝损伤，包括癌症。DEN 通过活性氧介导的炎症和各种生物活性的调节来诱导肝脏的发病机制。据报道，6-Gingerol 是生姜的主要成分，可通过减少氧化应激和促炎介质来预防肝脏疾病。本研究通过测量氧化应激、抗炎标志物、肝功能酶参数和组织病理学分析来研究 6-姜酚的保肝作用。将大鼠随机分为四组作为对照组，DEN 治疗组（50 mg/kg bw）、DEN+6-姜油（每组 50 mg/kg bw）和仅 6-姜油。为了评估保肝作用，肝功能酶（ALT、AST、α、IL-6 和 ICAM1)、苏木精和伊红染色、天狼星红染色、免疫组织化学和电子显微镜检查。结果显示，与对照组相比，DEN 治疗组的肝功能酶、氧化应激和炎症标志物显着增加。除此之外，还注意到肝细胞结构的改变（炎症细胞浸润、充血、血管扩张和水肿），丰富的胶原纤维和细胞器结构，如变形和肿胀的线粒体，以及破裂的内质网。6-姜酚的给药显着改善了生化和组织病理学变化。TNF- α表达增加在 DEN 治疗组中观察到蛋白质，而 6-姜酚的给药显着降低了该蛋白质的表达。基于这些发现，可以认为6-姜酚可能是预防和治疗肝脏疾病的替代疗法。