Heme Oxygenase 1 Gene Expression in Mice Liver Is Differently Affected by Equal Doses of Phytochemicals Download PDF

Objective: Heme oxygenase (HO-1) is an enzyme that possess anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective functions. In case of various harmful stimuli such as oxidative stress, HO-1 is induced as an compatible and helpful response. The purpose of the current study was assessing the impacts of equal doses (50 mg/kg body weight) of sulforaphane, curcumin and quercetin on the expression levels of HO-1 gene. Method:4 groups of ICR male white mice (25–30 g) were formed: group I included the treatment with sulforaphane(n=6), group II included the treatment with quercetin (n=6), group III included the treatment with curcumin (n=6), and group IV was the control (vehicle) group (n=6). The chemicals were applied intraperitoneally at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight for 14 days. A vehicle (DMSO, tween 20 and normal saline in the ratio of 0.05:0.1:0.85) was similarly applied to the control group. At the 15th day, the animals were killed and their livers were isolated. The total RNA was obtained, the reverse was transcribed and the quantitative real?time PCR was used to assess HO-1 expression. In order to assure the specificity of the amplification, Agarose gel electrophoresis was also conducted. Results: The administration of Sulforaphane caused an increase of 4.6-fold HO-1 proceeded by the treatment with sulforaphane comparing to the control (P<0.05). The treatment with curcumin caused a 3.3-fold induction of HO-1 comparing with the control (P<0.05). The treatment with quercetin led to a 3.0-fold induction of HO-1 comparing with the control (P<0.05). Conclusion: Applying the dose of 50mg/kg body weight, Sulforaphane had the highest influence on inducing of HO-1 in the livers of mice, proceeded by curcumin and quercetin.