Ameliorative Effects of Dandelion Root Extract (Taraxacum officinale) against Silver Nanoparticles-stimulated Hepatotoxicity in Male Albino Rats

Background: Dandelion roots have considerable health benefits including promoting liver health and combating inflammation. Therefore, our study investigated the impacts of dandelion root extract (Taraxacum officinale) on AgNPs-triggered hepatotoxicity in rats. Methods: Herein, 48 adult male albino Wistar rats were randomly distributed into six groups (8 rats/group). As controls, rats from the first group were employed. T. officinale (500, 250 mg/kg b.w./day) was administrated orally to the rats of the second and third groups. The AgNPs (1 mg/kg b.w./day) were intraperitoneally injected into the fourth group. Rats of the fifth and sixth groups were treated with (T. officinale 500+ AgNPs) and (T. officinale 250+ AgNPs). After four weeks, biochemical, histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluations were conducted on the blood samples and liver tissues. Result: Here, we have manifested that exposure to AgNPs significantly elevated liver enzyme levels alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total protein, albumin, Malondialdehyde (MDA) and caspase-3 whereas total bilirubin levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH), revealed significant decline linked to hepatic damage. Treatment of rats with T. officinale showed a pronounced attenuation of the damage caused by AgNPs associated with improvement of biochemical, hepatic histopathological and immunohistochemical alterations. This study shows that sub-chronic oral administration of T. officinale in rats protects against AgNPs-stimulated hepatotoxicity. The positive implications may be ascribed to the antioxidant capabilities of T. officinale.