Resveratrol attenuates ANIT-induced cholestasis in rats via modulation of bilirubin, ALP, and IL-1β

Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the protective and therapeutic effects of resveratrol on experimentally induced cholestasis and to provide new insights into the dual hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory mechanisms of resveratrol in cholestasis. Method: Thirty male Wistar albino rats (270–330 g) obtained from the College of Science at Babylon University were housed in standard plastic cages (five per cage) under controlled conditions (12-hour light/dark cycles, 50% humidity, and 22–25°C temperature, with free access to water). After two weeks of acclimatisation, rats were randomly divided into three groups (n=10 per group). Group A served as the negative control, Group B received ANIT (α-naphthylisothiocyanate) (positive control), and Group C received Resveratrol treatment following ANIT exposure. After the treatment period, all rats were sacrificed, and blood samples were collected for biochemical and inflammatory marker analysis. Results: Total bilirubin (TBIL) levels were significantly reduced in the resveratrol-treated group (1.09 ± 0.18 µmol/L) compared to the cholestasis group (1.98 ± 0.48 µmol/L) (TBIL: p=0.05). Serum IL-1β levels also showed a significant decrease (16.99 ± 2.41 pg/mL vs. 26.07 ± 3.52 pg/mL) (IL-1β: p=0.03). Additionally, ALP levels were significantly reduced in the resveratrol group (16.24 ± 2.81 IU/L) compared to the cholestasis group (50.14 ± 3.16 IU/L) (ALP: p=0.001). These findings demonstrate that resveratrol exerts both anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects. Conclusion: Resveratrol effectively attenuates ANIT-induced cholestasis in rats, likely through the reduction of ALP and bilirubin levels, and modulation of the inflammatory response via IL-1β inhibition.