Jatropha tanjorensis J.L.Ellis & Saroja inhibited carbon tetrachloride-induced fibrogenesis in Wistar rats.

Jatropha tanjorensis has been employed to treat various diseases. This study aimed to investigate the mode of action of J. tanjorensis against liver fibrogenesis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Liver fibrosis was induced in male Wistar rats by exposing them to CCl4 for nine weeks. From weeks 7 to 9, J. tanjorensis extract was administered. The study evaluated the activities of antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels, expression of TGFβ1 and fibrosis-associated proteins, and liver histology. J. tanjorensis significantly increased the depleted antioxidant activities induced by CCl4 while significantly reducing the elevated LPO levels caused by CCl4. Furthermore, it downregulated the upregulation of TGFβ1 and fibrosis-associated proteins induced by CCl4 and mitigated the liver lesions and collagen deposits resulting from CCl4 exposure. Overall, J. tanjorensis alleviated liver injury and fibrogenesis by exerting its antioxidant effect and inhibition of TGFβ1.