1,8-Cineole protects against liver failure in an in-vivo murine model of endotoxemic shock

Abstract

The effects of 1,8-cineole on d-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide (GalN/LPS)-induced shock model of liver injury was investigated in mice. The co-administration of GalN (700 mg kg−1, i.p.) and LPS (5 μg kg−1, i.p.) greatly elevated serum concentrations of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, and induced massive hepatic necrosis and lethality in 100% of control mice. Pretreatment with 1,8-cineole (400 mg kg−1, p.o.) and dexamethasone (1 mg kg−1, s.c.),60 min before GalN/LPS, offered complete protection (100%) against the lethal shock and acute elevation in serum TNF-α and serum transaminases. Hepatic necrosis induced by GalN/LPS was also greatly reduced by both 1,8-cineole and dexamethasone treatment. The results indicate that 1,8-cineole protects mice against GalN/LPS-induced liver injury through the inhibition of TNF-α production, and suggest that 1,8-cineole may be a promising agent to combat septic-shock-associated pathologies.