Investigating the effect of Astragalus hamosus extract on hepatotoxicity caused by thioacetamide in rats

Subject Areas : Journal of Medicinal Herbs, "J. Med Herb" (Formerly known as Journal of Herbal Drugs or J. Herb Drug)

Ghazaleh maleki ¹ , Elham Moghtadaei Khorasgani ²

1 -
2 -

Received: 2024-03-08 Accepted : 2024-06-12 Published : 2025-06-06

Keywords: Liver, Astragalus hamosus, thioacetamide (TAA), antioxidant,

Abstract :

Background & Aim: Thioacetamide (TAA) is a potent hepatotoxin that destroys liver cells. The use of plants is increasing day by day due to their protective effect against diseases such as cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the Astragalus hamosus extract on liver toxicity induced by TAA. Experimental: 32 rats were randomly divided into four groups of eight. The first group only received food and water rations. The second group received only TAA (50 mg/kg). The third group received both TAA and A. hamosus extract at a dose of 200 mg/kg. The fourth group received the extract at a dose of 400 mg/kg along with TAA. To investigate and compare liver function in different groups, serum transaminases including alanine aminotransferase alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (SGOT), alanine aminotransferase (SGPT), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured. Then the samples were examined histopathologically. Results: The best effect was observed with a dose of 400 mg of A. hamosus extract which significantly reduced SGPT and SGOT levels (P<0.05). Additionally, the extract at a dose of 400 mg significantly reduced ALP, MDA levels, which were increased due to TAA consumption (P<0.05). Histopathological analysis of liver tissue in the groups showed that liver cells in the TAA group exhibited central venous hyperemia and necrosis. However, liver cells were healthy in the group receiving the extract at a dose of 400 mg. This study showed that the effect of the extract was dose-dependent, and the most significant effect was observed with a dose of 400 mg of the extract. Recommended applications/industries: The present findings showed that the A. hamosus extract, probably due to its antioxidant properties, will modulate liver enzymes and improve the tissue structure of the liver in hepatotoxicity.

References:

Abouzid, S. and Sleem, A. 2011. Hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities of Tamarixnilotica flowers. Pharmaceutical Biology, 49(4): 392-395.
Akbari, M.E., Jamshidian, A., Rasekh, M., EsmaeelzadehBehabadi, S. and Hajinezhad, M.R. 2020. The effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Tamarix dioica flower on Thioacetamide-induced histomorphological changes in rats. Qom UniversityMedical Science Journal, 13(12): 65-74.
Alavi, L., Barzegar, M., Jabbari, A. and NaghdiBadi, H. 2010. Effect of heat treatment on chemical composition and antioxidant property of Thymus diagenesis essential oil. Journal of Medicinal Plants, 9: 129-138.
Ali-Shtayeh, M. S 2008. Traditional knowledge of wild edible plants used in Palestine (Northern West Bank): a comparative study. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 4(1): 1-7.
Al-Snafi, A. 2015. Chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of Astragalus hamosus and Astragalus tribuloides grown in Iraq. Asian Journal Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, 5: 321–328.
Cancelier, A. 2009. Inflammatory and oxidative parameters in cord blood as diagnostic of early-onset neonatal sepsis: a case-control study. Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, 10(4):467-471.
Iqubal, A., Iqubal, M.K. and Haque, S.E. 2016. Experimental hepatotoxicity inducing agents: a Review. International Journal Clinical Pharmacology Research, 6(11): 325-335.
Khosravi, M., Khakpour, S., Tajadod, G. and TokazabaniBalasi, F. 2013. Effect of Salvia officinalis hydroalcoholic extract on liver enzymes in male rat. Medical Sciences, 23(2):113-119.
Kim, K.H., Bae, J.H., Cha, S.W., Han, S.S., park, K.H. and Jeng, T.C. 2000. Role of metabolic activation by cytochrome P450 in Thioacetamide-induced suppression of antibody response in male BALB/ C mine. Toxicology Letters, 111(1-3): 225-235.
Kumaran, A. and Karunakaran, R.J. 2006. Antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity of an aqueous extract of Coleus aromaticus. Food Chemistry, 97: 109-114.
Lin, S.C., Chung, T.C., Lin, C.C., THLin, Y.H. and Lin SY. 2000. Hepatoprotective effects of Arctium lappa on carbon tetrachloride-and acetaminophen-induced liver damage. American Journal Chinese Medicine, 28(2): 163-173.
Moghadamnia, D., Mokhtari, M. and Khatamsaz, S. 2015. Effect of aqueous extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra root against Thioacetamide-induced lipid dysfunction and liver tissue changes in male rats. Animal Physiology and Development, 9(1): 1-8.
MohammadpourZehab, M., Shariati Sharifi, F., Jamshidian, A. and Hajinezhad M. 2016. Effects of Prosopis farcta hydro-alcoholic seed extract on Thioacetamide-induced acute liver toxicity in rats. Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, 35(421): 216-221.
Nazir, N., Muhammad, J. and Ghaffar, R. 2021. Phytochemical profiling and antioxidant potential of Daphne mucronataRoyle and action against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in rabbits. Saudi Journal Biological Science, 28(9): 5290-5301.
Newman D.J., Cragg, G.M. and Snader, K.M. 2003. Natural products as sources of new drugs over the period 1981–2002. Journal of Natural Products, 66: 1022–1037.
Rahman, M.A., Haque, E., Hasanuzzaman, M. and Shahid, I.Z. 2011. Antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties of Tamarix indica roots. International Journal of Pharmacology, 7(4): 527-531.
Sazegar, H., Fadaei, F., Mashhadizadeh, Sh. and Zia Jahormi, N. 2018. Protective effect of the extracts of Satureja bachtiarica and Thymus diagenesis Celak. against Thioacetamide-induced hepatic fibrosis on rats. Animal Biology Quarterly, 11(1): 17-26.
Sehrawat, A. and Sultana, S. 2006. Tamarix gallica ameliorates thioacetamide-induced hepatic oxidative stress and hyperproliferative response in Wistar rats. Journal of Enzyme Inhibition and Medicinal Chemistry, 21(2): 215-223.
Sepehrinezhad, A., Shahbazi, A., Sahab Negah, S., Joghataei, MT., Larsen, FS. 2021. Drug-induced-acute liver failure: A critical appraisal of the TAA model for the study of hepatic encephalopathy. Toxicol Reports, 30 (8): 962-970.
Shahsavan, S. and Hosseini, S.A. 2018. Evaluation of the effects of curcumin on Thioacetamide-induced liver failure in male rats. Birjand University of Medical Sciences, 25(2): 94-103.
Shin, M.R., Kim, M.J., Lee, J.A. and Roh, S.S. 2021. Effect of Uncaria rhynchophylla against Thioacetamide-induced acute liver injury in rat. Canadian Journal Gastroenterology Hepatol, 13:2021:5581816.
Shun, Y.M., Wen, Y.H., Yong, C.Y. and Jian, G.S. 2003. Two benzyl dihydroflavones from Phellinus igniarius. Chinese Chemical Letters, 14(8): 810-813.
Therall, M.A. 2012. Veterinary hematology and clinical chemistry: text and clinical case presentations, 2nd ed., Williams and Wilkins, USA. 1-10.
Urfi, M.K., Mujahid, M., Rahman, M.A. and Rahman, M.A. 2018. The role of Tamarix gallica leaves extract in liver injury induced by rifampicin plus isoniazid in Sprague Dawley rats. Journal of Diet Supplement, 15(1): 24-33.
Wolf, J., Beatty, J., Susan W. and Carey, G. 2003. Invasion by sweet clover (Melilotus) in montane grasslands, Rocky Mountain National Park. Annals of the Association of American Geographers, 93(3): 531-543.
Zhou, Y.J. and Zhang, D. 2021. Mechanism of drug-induced liver injury and hepatoprotective effects of natural drugs. Chinese Medical Journal, 16(1): 135-139.