Two flavonoids, baicalein and naringin, are effective as anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant agents in a rat model of polymicrobial sepsis

INTRODUCTION In this study, our aim was to investigate the possible protective and therapeutic effects of these two flavonoids, baicalein and naringin, in 50 and 100 mg/kg doses applied both before and after cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) procedures in a polymicrobial sepsis rat model, and evaluate possible contribution of oxidative and inflammatory markers by immunological, biochemical, molecular, and histopathological methods. METHODS Sixty-six Wistar albino rats were divided into 11 groups. The pro-inflammatory (TNF-alpha, IL-1-beta, and IL-6) and anti-inflammatory (TGF-beta and IL-10) cytokine levels were measured by ELISA technique. CD3, CD68, and nuclear factor kappa B positivity rates were detected by immunohistochemical methods. Oxidative stress parameters (MDA, SOD, and GSH) were measured by tissue biochemistry. RESULTS Sepsis caused a significant increase in all pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and MDA activity. Also, it led to an increase in the positivities of CD3, CD68, and NF-κB markers. However, especially pre-CLP doses of baicalein and naringin inhibited the inflammation process by suppressing pro-inflammatory and increasing anti-inflammatory cytokine levels, as well as regulating oxidative stress process by normalizing the oxidant/anti-oxidant enzyme levels. CONCLUSION Both pre- and post-application of baicalein and naringin are quite effective to prevent sepsis-caused cellular processes. This protective and therapeutic effects by baicalein and naringin in animals with sepsis seems to be originated from the high antioxidant capacity and inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Thus, those natural agents may prove to be a valuable protective agent against septic shock.