Evaluation of the hepatoprotective role of ethanolic Saussurea lappa root extract in female rats experimentally exposed to propylthiouracil

Abstract

Propylthiouracil (PTU) is often used to produce experimental hypothyroidism. In general, PTU generates hepatotoxicity, albeit with dissimilar incidence rates of hepatotoxicity. This study examined the hepatoprotective effects of Saussurea lappa root ethanol extract on experimentally induced hepatotoxicity in female rats. For this study, 25 adult female albino rats were placed into five equal groups: control, PTU, post treated with S. lappa extract, co-administered PTU with S. lappa extract 300mg/kg, and post-treated with levothyroxine. Serum gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) activity, total protein, thyroid hormones (T3, T4, and TSH), and oxidative stress parameters (catalase, superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione, and lipid peroxidation levels) were measured. The liver tissue underwent histological examination. Current findings revealed that S.lappa ethanol root extract significantly improved hepatotoxicity as evidenced by reversal of various biochemical and histopathological changes in female rats. Current study has shown that this promising impact may be due to the antioxidant and free radical scavenging characteristics of S.lappa constituents.