Evaluation of andrographolide on hepcidin expression in rat with secondary iron oevrload

Background and Objective: Periodic blood transfusion can lead to secondary iron overload in patients with hematologic and oncologic diseases that result in inflammation. Andrographolid is a plant that contains flavonoid compounds and has antioxidant and anti-inflammation effects. So the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of andrographolid on expression of liver hepcidin in rats with secondary iron overload. Methods: In this experimental study, sucrose was used to induce secondary iron overload.In brief, 48 adult male Wistar Rats were randomly divided into six groups (8 animals per group) as follows; three iron groups were given iron sucrose by daily intraperitoneal injections (6 times/week) for two weeks at a dose of 75 mg/kg (bw) by which two of them were treated with andrographolid extract (3.5 and 7 mg / kg) for one week (6 times/week) and control groups received an equivalent volume of normal saline for two weeks. At the end of each experimental period, animals were sacrificed. Blood and liver samples were collected. Results: The results suggested that 3.5 and 7 mg/kg of andrographolide have anti-inflammation effect on hepcidin gene in rat with secondary iron over loaded Conclusion: Treatment with andrographolide extract significantly decreased the expression of the hepcidin gene