Evaluation of the Protective Effects of Ellagic Acid and Taurine on Lipid Profile and Gene Expressions of NF-κB, IL-1β, and TNF-α against Fluoxetine Induced Hepatotoxicity in Male Wistar Rats

Abstract Purpose Fluoxetine by increasing free radicals can cause hepatotoxicity. Ellagic acid and taurine have antioxidant properties. In this study, the protective effects of ellagic acid and taurine against fluoxetine-induced liver damage were examined Methods The animals were divided into five groups as follows: group 1: controls receiving corn oil; group 2: receiving fluoxetine 15 mg/kg body weight (bw); group 3: receiving fluoxetine 15mg/kg bw and ellagic acid 50 mg/kg bw; group 4: receiving fluoxetine 15 mg/kg bw and taurine 100 mg/kg bw; and group 5: receiving 15mg/kg bw, ellagic acid 50 mg/kg bw, and taurine 100 mg/kg bw. Results Fluoxetine significantly raised serum uric acid, malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PC), lipids profile, serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, and serum interleukin-1 beta; and gene expressions of interleukin-1beta (IL-1B), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Moreover, it significantly decreased (p < 0.05) high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP), catalase (CAT), vitamin C, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the liver compared to group 1. Treatment with ellagic acid and taurine significantly elevated antioxidant capacity and decreased hepatotoxic biochemical parameters and cells’ inflammation compared to group 2. Also, the results confirm that treatment with ellagic acid and taurine improved tissue change and liver function. Conclusion Our study has concluded the beneficial effect of ellagic acid and taurine against fluoxetine-induced hepatotoxicity. This effect is derived from free radical scavenging properties and the anti-inflammatory effect related to IL-1B, NF-κB, TNF-α.