Document Type : Original Article

Authors

• Mina Atharizadeh ¹
• Mohsen Eslami Farsani ^{2, 3}
• Samira Khani ^{2, 4}
• Mahdi Noureddini ⁵
• Zahra Rezaeiasl ⁵
• Fatemeh Aliasl ¹
• Maryam Akhavan Taheri ⁶
• Fatemeh Nojavan ¹

¹ Department of Persian Medicine, School of Persian Medicine, Qom University of Medical Science, Qom, Iran

² Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran

³ Anatomy Department, Faculty of Medicine, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran

⁴ Neuroscience Research Center, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran

⁵ Physiology Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran

⁶ Gametogenesis Research Center, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran

Abstract

Abstract
Background:
The liver acts as a central regulator of metabolic homeostasis, and carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) is a well-established hepatotoxic agent. Asparagus officinalis root extract (AORE), traditionally used in Persian Medicine, was evaluated for its possible hepatoprotective properties against liver injury induced by CCl₄.
Methods:
Thirty male Wistar rats were categorized into six distinct groups: control, CCl₄, paraffin, AORE (800 mg/kg), and treatment groups receiving CCl₄ with AORE (400 or 800 mg/kg). After 28 days, biochemical markers (AST, ALT, ALP, bilirubin, albumin, total protein, renal markers), oxidative stress indices (MDA, SOD, GPX, TAC, catalase), CBC, and liver histopathological changes were assessed.
Results:
According to our findings, CCL4 significantly elevated inflammation (P ≤ 0.001), fibrosis (P ≤ 0.001), AST (P ≤ 0.001), ALT (P ≤ 0.001), ALP (P ≤ 0.05), WBC (P ≤ 0.01), MDA (P ≤ 0.01), and significantly decreased catalase (P ≤ 0.01). Co-administration of 400 mg/kg AORE significantly increased AST (P ≤ 0.001), BUN (P ≤ 0.05), and significantly decreased Cr (P ≤ 0.01). Co-administration of 800 mg/kg AORE significantly increased AST (P ≤ 0.05), ALT (P ≤ 0.001), and direct bilirubin (P ≤ 0.05) and significantly reduced inflammation (P ≤ 0.001), total protein (P ≤ 0.01), albumin (P ≤ 0.01), Cr (P ≤ 0.01), and GPX (P ≤ 0.05).
Conclusion:
AORE did not exhibit significant hepatoprotective effects in this acute CCl₄-induced liver injury model, as confirmed by biochemical and histopathological assessments. However, it effectively modulated hematological parameters independent of liver recovery.

Keywords

• Asparagus officinalis
• Persian Medicine
• Herbal medicine
• Liver
• Carbon tetrachloride
• Antioxidant

Main Subjects

• Traditional medicine