Mitochondrial modulation as a potential mechanism of <i>vetiveria zizanioides</i> root extract against liver damage in mice

Abstract

The relationship between the expression of mitochondrial voltagedependent anion channels and the protective effects of methanolic extract of Vetiveria zizanioides Linn. Root against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage was investigated. Pretreatment of mice with Vetiveria
zizanioides Linn. Root extract (300 and 500 mg/kg) significantly blocked
the carbon tetrachloride-induced increase in both serum aspartate
aminotransferase and serum alanine aminotransferase levels. The
mitochondrial membrane potential was dropped from –188.0 ± 2.5 mV to
–156.8 ± 3.0 mV (P < 0.01) after the mice had been treated with carbon
tetrachloride. Pretreatment with methanolic extract of Vetiveria
zizanioides Linn. Root (300 and 500 mg/kg) attenuated carbon
tetrachloride –induced mitochondrial membrane potential dissipation (P<
0.05). In addition, pretreatment of Vetiveria zizanioides Linn. Root extract
at various concentrations exerted a dose-dependent effect against
sensitivity to mitochondrial swelling induced by Calcium. Also, 500
mg/kg dose of extract significantly increased both transcription and
translation of voltage-dependent anion channels, which was downregulated
by carbon tetrachloride treatment. The above data suggest that
Vetiveria zizanioides Linn. Root extract mitigates the damage to liver
mitochondria induced by carbon tetrachloride, possibly through the
regulation of mitochondrial voltage-dependent anion channels, one of the
most important proteins in the mitochondrial outer membrane.

Keywords: Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), Liver mitochondria,
Vetiveria zizanioides Linn. Root, Voltage-dependent anion channel
(VDAC)