The hepatoprotective effects of the polyphenol-enriched n-butanol fraction of Cnicus benedictus against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis in rats: In vivo study

Liver fibrosis is a continuous wound-healing response to chronic injury caused by various chemical, virus, and pathological disorders; the lack of approved drugs or methods to reverse or prevent liver fibrosis makes it an interesting area of research. This study investigates the potential hepatoprotective effects of the phenolic extract of <i>Cnicus benedictus</i> in rat's module of liver fibrosis. Liver fibrosis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) for six consecutive weeks; the butanol fraction of <i>Cnicus</i> and silymarin was administered orally concurrently with CCl₄. After six weeks, all animals were euthanized. Rat liver tissue levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) were measured, and serum liver enzymes and protein were measured using the ELISA technique. Histopathological study and immunohistochemistry of liver tissue for transforming growth factor (TGF-β1), alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and hydroxyproline were assessed. In HPLC analysis, Cnicus extract showed several components, including quercetin, gallic acid, rutin, kaempferol, silibinin, and apigenin. Treatment with <i>Cnicus</i> butanol extract reduces serum ALT, AST, bilirubin, and albumin levels compared to induction. Additionally, <i>Cnicus</i> extract increases liver GSH levels and decreases liver MDA levels compared to induction. Liver tissue of TGF-β1, α-SMA, and hydroxyproline expression was downregulated in rats receiving <i>Cnicus</i> extract. Liver tissue histopathology showed improvement in its features compared to the induction group. In conclusion, oral administration of the polyphenol-enriched n-butanol fraction of Cnicus benedictus showed a protective effect on liver fibrosis caused by CCl4, possibly through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.