## 3 Results
The research team also investigated how methoxyeugenol could exert a preventive and protective effect on hepatocyte damage in vivo and studied its favorable potential regarding the prevention of hepatic fibrosis [47]. Methoxyeugenol was shown to lower hepatic stellate cell activation through PPAR-\(\gamma\) stimulation. The activation of liver stellate cells eventually led to a quiescence phenotype characterized by the accumulation of fat droplets, loss of contractile function, and a reduced proliferation rate and fibroblast mRNA marker expression [47]. Methoxyeugenol also inhibited oxidative-stress-induced damage to liver cells. Furthermore, in mice with chronic hepatopathy, methoxyeugenol reduced the hepatic inflammatory status, hepatic fibrosis, mRNA expression of fibrotic genes, and NF-kB inflammatory responses [47]. Thymoquinone is a phytochemical compound and a PPAR-\(\gamma\) agonist that has been investigated for its potential benefits in inflammatory bowel disease management [48]. More specifically, thymoquinone (2-isopropyl-5-methyl-1,_A_-benzoquinone) is the main biomolecule found in the volatile oil of the seeds of _Nigella sativa_ L. (family Ranunculaceae). It is widely used in the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions for its beneficial effects on human health [48; 49]. A recent study showed that a treatment with thymoquinone considerably decreased the disorder progression index, the myeloperoxidase action, and defended the microscopic structure of the colon in inflammatory bowel disease [50]. In addition, thymoquinone reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators. Thymoquinone also increased the colonic epithelial PPAR-\(\gamma\) expression and suppressed the phosphorylation of NF-\(\kappa\)B proteins and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)pathway [50]. Furthermore, in HT-29 cells treated with tumor necrosis factor-\(\alpha\) (TNF-\(\alpha\)), thymoquinone significantly attenuated the expression of the pro-inflammatory chemokines and specifically chemokine (C-X-C pattern) ligand 1 (CXCL-1), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA. Thymoquinone similarly enhanced the HT-29 PPAR-\(\gamma\) mRNA and protein levels as well as its promoter activity Taken together, the results support the evidence that thymoquinone can suppress the MAPK and NF-kB pathways in vivo and in vitro in colon inflammatory states and can exert potent anti-inflammatory activity by the upregulation of PPAR-\(\gamma\) expression [50]. Gamma-oryzanol (\(\gamma\)-OZ), the primary bioactive molecule found in the germ and bran of rice, constitutes a substance with activity against inflammation and oxidation. A recent study evaluated whether \(\gamma\)-Oz could modulate the cytokine chain reaction by activating PPAR-gamma in lipid tissues [51]. For this purpose, three different groups of male Wistar rats received either an ad libitum control diet (C, n = 6), an enhanced sugar and enhanced fat diet (HSF, n = 6), or an enhanced sugar, enhanced fat diet and \(\gamma\)-Oz (HSF + \(\gamma\)-Oz, n = 6) for a period of thirty weeks [51]. The HSF group was shown to have problems in the functioning of the adipose tissue, which was characterized by notable lower cytokine levels, other indicators of inflammation, and redox; the treatment with \(\gamma\)-Oz inhibited the fatty tissue dysfunction and enhanced the overexpression of PPAR-\(\gamma\). Considering the above findings, \(\gamma\)Oz could be suggested as an adjuvant therapeutic option to suppress the cytokine cascade in obese COVID-19 patients [51]. Curcumin is a chemical of plant origin, mainly in the root of _Curcuma longa_ (turmeric), presenting a plethora of beneficial health actions, exerting activities against inflammation and neurological dysfunctions. A recently published study assessed the potential impact of curcumin on the differentiation of ancestral oligodendrocytes, particularly in inflammatory conditions [52].