Montelukast ameliorates Concanavalin A-induced autoimmune hepatitis in mice via inhibiting TNF-α/JNK signaling pathway

Background: Concanavalin A (ConA) is a well-established model to induce autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) in mice which mimics pathological alterations that occur in human. The pathogenesis of ConA-induced AIH involves many signaling pathways. Montelukast is a leukotriene receptor antagonist that is mainly used in the management of asthma. The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects of montelukast have been reported in previous studies. Lately, montelukast has been documented to confer protection against various inflammatory diseases. Up to date, no study has explored the effect of montelukast on AIH induced by ConA. Aim and method: This study aims to detect the protective effects of montelukast (10 mg/kg) on ConA (20 mg/kg)- induced AIH in mice and to demonstrate its hepatoprotective mechanisms. Hepatic function, histological changes, oxidative stress, inflammation, autophagy, and apoptotic markers were investigated. Results: Hepatic function and histological data revealed that treatment with montelukast significantly attenuated ConA-induced hepatic damage. Montelukast significantly reduced JNK level and NF kappa B p65 expression, and inhibited proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha and IL-6) as well as oxidative stress (MDA, NO, and GSH). Moreover, inflammatory cells (CD4 + infiltration and the levels of apoptotic markers (Bax and caspase-3) besides autophagy biomarkers (Beclinl and LC3) were reduced. Conclusion: Our results suggest that montelukast could be a potential therapeutic drug against the ConA-induced AIH through its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti- autophagy as well as anti-apoptotic properties.