Antifibrotic effects of D‐limonene (5(1‐methyl‐4‐[1‐methylethenyl]) cyclohexane) in CCl₄ induced liver toxicity in Wistar rats

This study was designed to assess the potential antifibrotic effect of D‐Limonene—a component of volatile oils extracted from citrus plants. D‐limonene is reported to have numerous therapeutic properties. CCl 4 ‐intduced model of liver fibrosis in Wistar rats is most widely used model to study chemopreventive studies. CCl 4 ‐intoxication significantly increased serum aminotransferases and total cholesterol these effects were prevented by cotreatment with D‐Limonene. Also, CCl 4 ‐intoxication caused depletion of glutathione and other antioxidant enzymes while D‐Limonene preserved them within normal values. Hydroxyproline and malondialdehyde content was increased markedly by CCl 4 treatment while D‐Limonene prevented these alterations. Levels of TNF‐α, TGF‐β, and α‐SMA were also assessed; CCl 4 increased the expression of α‐SMA, NF‐κB and other downstream inflammatory cascade while D‐Limonene co‐treatment inhibited them. Collectively these findings indicate that D‐Limonene possesses potent antifibrotic effect which may be attributed to its antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties.