Stevia has been shown to prevent oxidative stress and
inflammation in
carbon tetrachloride‐induced
cirrhosis models. This study aimed to investigate the ability of an aqueous extract of stevia (AES) to prevent
thioacetamide (TAA)‐induced
cirrhosis in rats and to explore its mechanism of action.
Liver cirrhosis was established by administering TAA (200 mg/kg by i.p.
injections three times a week for 10 weeks); AES was administered (100 mg/kg by gavage daily) during the TAA treatment. Liver damage and
fibrosis were evaluated, and the profibrotic pathways were analyzed by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. TAA increased
nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) and pro‐inflammatory
cytokine production, as well as the
malondialdehyde and 4‐hydroxynonenal levels, whereas the
glutathione/
glutathione disulfide and nuclear factor‐E2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) levels were decreased. Moreover, TAA increased
collagen production, hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation, and expression of profibrogenic mediators. TAA‐treated rats that had been exposed to Mn2+ exhibited altered striatal
dopamine turnover, indicating
hepatic encephalopathy. AES partially or completely prevented all of these effects. AES showed
antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and antifibrotic properties, probably because of its capacity to induce Nrf2 expression, reduce NF‐κB expression, and block several profibrogenic signaling pathways, subsequently inhibiting HSC activation and preventing
fibrosis and
dopamine turnover.