Antioxidant activity and protective effect of phyto‐active compounds of <i>Crataegus azarolus</i> berries decoction extract against acetic acid‐induced hepatorenal injuries in male rats

The present study evaluated the hepato-nephronal protective properties of Crataegus azarolus berries decoction extract (CAB-DE) on acetic acid (AA)-induced oxidative stress and metabolic disorders in rats. Animals (60 rats) were randomly divided into six groups (n = 10), with groups 1 and 2 being controls and groups 3, 4, and 5 given increasing doses of CAB-DE, group 6 were given gallic acid until ulcerative colitis was induced and then intoxicated by an acute intra-rectal infusion of AA. Our results showed that CAB-DE-oral administration had no signs of toxicity or abnormal behavior in rats, with a LD₅₀ higher than 3500 mg/kg bw. In addition, CAB-DE protected against AA-induced nephropathy and hepatic damage in rats, as determined by an increase in organ weights and an alteration in the renal and liver parameters and functions. Moreover, extract co-administration reduced AA-induced liver and kidney lipoperoxidation, maintained non-enzymatic contents such as sulfhydryl groups (-SH) and reduced glutathione (GSH), and restored antioxidant enzyme activities, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Finally, CAB-DE might have a possible protective effect against AA-oxidative stress and dysfunction in the rat liver and kidney, suggesting that Crataegus azarolus berries may be beneficial for people suffering from liver issues and nephropathy.