Evaluation of Asparagus officinalis L. extract on hepatotoxicity induced by Senecio Vulgaris L. in Male Rats

Liver disease is one of the global problems that are associated with high mortality. According to the WHO, about 500 million people are living with chronic hepatitis infection, which kills more than one million people a year. Medicinal plants are a vital resource, potentially used to prevent and treat liver disease. One of the plants used in traditional medicine to treat liver damage is Asparagus. It could be effective against pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) induced hepatotoxicity, which was investigated in this study.

In this experimental study, 60 male Wister rats were divided into six groups, each having ten rats. One group was considered as the control group; the second group received carbon tetrachloride, and the other four groups received Senecio vulgaris L. extract for one week to induce liver toxicity. Among four which received Senecio vulgaris extract, one was the negative control, and the others received 100, 300, and 600 mg/kg of Asparagus officinalis L. extract orally for 14 days. Three weeks after the start of the study, aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and alanine transaminase (ALT) enzymes along with the serum concentration of total protein, albumin, and bilirubin were measured. Moreover, liver tissue was assessed in all the groups. The ANOVA test was utilized to analyze the data.

Receiving oral Senecio vulgaris extract led to an increase in bilirubin, ALP, ALT, and AST levels and a decrease in total protein and albumin in the experimental groups compared to the control group. Moreover, Asparagus officinalis extract consumption helped these factors to become statistically closer to the control group. Histological studies indicated improvement in liver failure caused by Senecio vulgaris extract.

Asparagus officinalis extract has protective effects against liver failures caused by Senecio vulgaris extract.