Protective effect of Phlomis cancellata hydroalcoholic extract on acute acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in male rats

Acetaminophen is a common anti-analgesic and antipyretic medication that in high doses leads to liver and kidney necrosis in humans and animals. Phlomis cancellata, from the mint family, is a plant that has antioxidant properties. In the present study, the hepatoprotective effect of Phlomis cancellata hydroalcoholic extract on acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in rats was investigated.

In this study, 36 male rats were divided into six groups, each including six rats: control group, negative control group, and positive control group (receiving silymarin at a dose of 200 mg/kg) and three experimental groups. All groups, except the control group, were treated with acetaminophen at a dose of 400 mg/kg body weight, and the treatment groups of 1, 2, and 3 received a hydroalcoholic extract of Phlomis cancellata (at 200, 500, and 1,000 mg/kg body weight), respectively. After 24 h, all rats were anesthetized and blood was drawn from the heart to examine albumin and bilirubin, and liver enzymes of (ALP, AST, and ALT). Sections of the liver were removed for histological studies. The collected data was analyzed in Minitab software (version 16). The findings were compared using post hoc Tukey and one-way ANOVA tests.

The results indicated that in the treatment and positive control groups, the amount of liver enzymes decreased significantly compared to the negative control group (P<0.001). Histopathologically, necrosis and lymphocytic infiltration were reduced in the groups receiving Phlomis cancellata extract and silymarin.

Hydroalcoholic extract of Phlomis cancellata had a protective role in improving acute acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity.