Background: Hepatic injury is a worldwide health problem. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible hepatoprotective potential of Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) extract (CSE) in albino rats using thioacetamide (TAA)-model of liver injury.
Methods: Acclimatized 42 rats were divided randomly into seven groups, each consists of six rats, and subjected to different treatments. Hepatic injury model was induced by administration of TAA at a dose of 100 mg per kg, interperitoneally, twice weekly for 8 weeks (+ve control); test groups rats received CSE at doses of 100 or 200 mg/kg BW, orally, daily for 8 weeks adjunct with TAA; standard group rats received Silymarin at dose of 100 mg per kg, orally, daily for 8 weeks adjunct with TAA; additional 2 groups of rats received only CSE at the same dose levels; while -ve control rats received only the vehicles. Blood and liver tissue samples were collected at the end of the experimental course for different assessments.
Results: Results revealed that CSE exhibited dose-dependent hepatoprotection indicated by nearly normalized parameters, including, enzymatic liver function parameters (AST, ALT, GGt & ALP with potential % of 94.06, 86.96, 85.93, 64.85, respectively, after large dose when standardized by Silymarin); non-enzymatic parameters (total protein, albumin, globulins, total bilirubin, conjugated bilirubin, unconjugated bilirubin, TAGs, Cholesterol, HDL, LDL & VLDL with potential % of 83.42, 85.9, 83.44, 98.1, 77.41, 91.5, 97.51, 97.46, 81.41, 88.52 & 89.4, respectively, after large dose when standardized by Silymarin). The underlying mechanism of the observed hepatoprotection of CSE was attributed to impeding the oxidative stress mediated by TAA, indicated by reduced hepatocyte lipid peroxidation product MDA (95.96 % of Silymarin), and improved antioxidative enzymes in liver homogenate, namely, GPx, Catalase & SOD with potentials of 95.44, 87.02 & 81.48 % of Silymarin, respectively. Macroscopic and microscopic pathological pictures were supportive to the biochemical findings, where the pathological lesions caused by TAA as congestion and dilatation of central and portal veins with perivascular fibrous connective tissue proliferation admixed with few mononuclear leukocytes plus necrotic hepatocytes and hyperplastic biliary epithelium, were ameliorated dose-dependently when CSE was administered together with TAA.
Conclusions: Data of the present study may suggest CSE as a natural source for promising hepatoprotectant and antioxidant drug preparations.
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