Corynoline protects against zearalenone‐induced liver injury by activating the SIRT1/Nrf2 signaling pathway

Abstract

Corynoline has been reported to have anti‐inflammatory and antioxidative effects. In the present study, the potential protective effects of corynoline against zearalenone (ZEA)‐induced liver injury were investigated. ZEA was administered daily for 5 days. Then, liver tissues were used for subsequent experiments. Corynoline attenuated liver histopathological changes induced by ZEA. The production of tumor necrosis factor‐α and interleukin‐1β in liver tissues, as well as aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase in serum, was also inhibited by corynoline. Meanwhile, ZEA‐induced MPO activity and MDA content were both attenuated by corynoline. ZEA‐induced NF‐κB p65 and IκBα phosphorylation were inhibited by corynoline. Furthermore, SIRT1, Nrf2, and HO‐1 expression were increased by corynoline. In addition, the protective effects of corynoline against liver injury were reversed by the SIRT1 inhibitor EX‐527. Taken together, corynoline protected against ZEA‐induced liver injury by activating the SIRT1/Nrf2 signaling pathway.