We aimed to determine whether geraniol (GNL) treatment prevents induced ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rat hepatic by detecting cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) levels by real-time PCR (RT-PCR).

The experimental groups each consisted of 7rats and were treated as follows: group 1, sham; group 2, 3, HIRI (1h ischemia, 1h and 6h reperfusion); group 4, 5, HIRI+GNL (50 and 100 mg/kg) (1h ischemia, 1h reperfusion); group 6, 7, HIRI+GNL (50 and 100 mg/kg) (1h ischemia, 6h reperfusion). Immediately before reperfusion, treatment with graded doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg of GNL as intraperitoneally was performed. Serum levels liver enzymes were determined to evaluate liver function. iNOS, and COX-2 mRNA levels were detected using RT-PCR.

Treatment with GNL decreased levels of serum aminotransferase against hepatic I/R injury. In the HIRI group, the COX-2 and iNOS levels in the hepatic tissue were higher compared with the sham group (P<0.05). The COX-2, and iNOS levels in the GNL -treated group were statistically lower compared with the HIRI group (P<0.001). Vascularization, and necrosis were markedly increased in the HIRI group.

Regarding its anti-inflammatory properties, GNL demonstrates potential as a hepatoprotective agent in HIRI by stimulating the anti-inflammatory COX-2 pathway. The administration of GNL, at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg, resulted in the amelioration of HIRI-induced abnormalities in hepatic histology. We propose that GNL may be clinically utilized to treat HIR injury owing to its diminishing effects on COX-2 and iNOS levels.