The effects of Artemisia aucheri extract on hepatotoxicity induced by thioacetamide in male rats

Abstract

Objective: Liver is an important organ that is exposed to many oxidant and carcinogenic agents, thus antioxidant compounds are beneficial for liver health. <em>Artemisia</em> contains flavonoid compounds and anti-diabetic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Due to possessing <em>terpene</em> and sesquiterpene compounds, this plant has antioxidant properties. This study was done to investigate the effects of <em>Artemisia</em> plant extract on thioacetamide-induced <em>hepatotoxicity</em> in Wistar rats. <br/>Materials and Methods: For induction of hepatotoxicity, 50 mg/kg thioacetamide was injected intraperitoneally (i.p).After extraction and purification, the <em>hydroalcoholic</em>extract was injected i.p. at 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg doses for 21 days together with thioacetamide at 50 mg/kg dose in the last 3 days. After blood sampling and separation of serum, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin, and total protein concentrations were measured. <br/>Results: Significant decreases in aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities and significant increases in the concentration of albumin and total protein in groups treated with the extract compared with thioacetamide-treated group were observed (p<0.05). <br/>Conclusion: The results indicate that protective effects of <em>Artemisia</em> extract against the thioacetamide-induced hepatotoxicity may be due to its ability to block the <em>bioactivation</em> of thioacetamide, primarily by inhibiting the activity of Cyp₄₅₀ and free radicals. <em>Artemisia</em> possesses quercetin. Studies have demonstrated that quercetin inhibits lipid peroxidation and as an <em>antioxidant </em>can inhibit lipid peroxidation.