Baicalein and its underlying mechanism as a protector against liver injury induced by cisplatin in mice

Cisplatin is widely used for the treatment of a variety of cancers but with a high incidence of hepatotoxicity. Baicalein is originally isolated from the root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi with broad bioactivities. The present study aims to investigate the protective effect of baicalein against cisplatin-induced acute liver injury and the underlying mechanism of this protective effect. Administration of cisplatin (40 mg/kg) for 24 h increased the serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferases and alkaline phosphatase levels, while baicalein could reverse all those changes induced by cisplatin. Liver histological analysis further evidenced the protection of baicalein against cisplatin-induced liver injury. Baicalein counteracted the increased liver malondialdehyde (amount induced by cisplatin, while baicalein could further increase the cisplatin-induced elevation of the amount of reduced glutathione in the liver. Further results showed that baicalein reversed the cisplatin-induced decrease in the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S transferase and glutathione reductase. On the other hand, baicalein alleviated the increase in the serum levels of tumour necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 6 induced by cisplatin. Taken together, our results demonstrate that baicalein can inhibit cisplatin-induced hepatic oxidative stress and inflammation, which contributes greatly to the amelioration of cisplatin-induced liver injury.