Hepatoprotective Screening of Seriphidium kurramense (Qazilb.) Y.R. Ling

Investigation on medicinal plants' therapeutic potential has gained substantial importance in the discovery of novel effective and safe therapeutic agents. The present study is aimed at investigating the hepatoprotective potential of Seriphidium kurramense methanolic extract (SKM) against carbon tetrachloride- (CCl₄-) induced hepatotoxicity in rats. S. kurramense is one of the most imperative plants for its various pharmacological activities. Therefore, this study was aimed at evaluating the hepatoprotective potential against CCl₄-induced liver toxicity. The serum samples were analyzed for alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) together with the oxidative stress mediator levels as nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), reduced glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) as well as peroxidation and H₂O₂ activity. CCl₄ administration resulted in an elevated free radical generation, altered liver marker (AST and ALT) enzymes, reduced antioxidant enzyme, and increased DNA damage. Methanolic extract of S. kurramense decreased CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity by increasing the antioxidant status and reducing H₂O₂ and nitrate content generation as well as reducing DNA damage. Additionally, SKM reversed the morphological alterations induced by CCl₄ in the SKM-treated groups. These results demonstrated that SKM displayed hepatoprotective activity against CCl₄-induced hepatic damage in experimental rats.