A First Metabolite Analysis of Norfolk Island Pine Resin and Its Hepatoprotective Potential to Alleviate Methotrexate (MTX)-Induced Hepatic Injury

Abstract

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) represents a significant clinical challenge characterized by hepatic dysfunction following exposure to diverse medications. Methotrexate (MTX) is a cornerstone in treating various cancers and autoimmune disorders. However, the clinical utility of MTX is overshadowed by its ability to induce hepatotoxicity. The current study aims to elucidate the hepatoprotective effect of the alcoholic extract of Egyptian Araucaria heterophylla resin (AHR) on MTX-induced liver injury in rats. AHR (100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly decreased hepatic markers (AST, ALT, and ALP), accompanied by an elevation in the antioxidant’s markers (SOD, HO-1, and NQO1). AHR extract also significantly inhibited the TGF-β/NF-κB signaling pathway as well as the downstream cascade (IL-6, JAK, STAT-3, and cyclin D). The extract significantly reduced the expression of VEGF and p38 with an elevation in the BCL2 levels, in addition to a significant decrease in the IL-1β and TNF-α levels, with a prominent effect at a high dose (200 mg/kg). Using LC-HRMS/MS analysis, a total of 43 metabolites were tentatively identified, and diterpenes were the major class. This study presents AHR as a promising hepatoprotective agent through inhibition of the TGF-β/NF-κB and JAK/STAT3 pathways, besides its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.