Biochemical evaluation of the protective effects of dandelion and safflower compared to silymarin against thioacetamide in rats

The liver and kidneys play essential roles in detoxification, metabolism, and maintaining internal homeostasis; however, exposure to hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic agents such as thioacetamide (TAA) leads to tissue damage. This research focused on evaluating the protective potential of dandelion and safflower compared to silymarin, induced by TAA in rats. Thirty-five rats were randomly assigned to five groups. Control group: rats fed a standard diet without any treatment; thioacetamide group: rats received intraperitoneal injections of TAA at 200 mg/kg body weight twice weekly for eight weeks. The remaining three groups were treated with TAA in the same manner. Also, they received one of the following daily oral treatments: silymarin (37.5 mg/kg), dandelion ethanoic extract (200 mg/kg), or safflower extract (10 mg/kg). After the experiment, serum samples were taken for the evaluation of liver and kidney functions. Our results showed that TAA injection led to a significant increase in liver enzymes and kidney function parameters, along with a significant decrease in albumin concentration compared to the control group. All treatments significantly ameliorated these parameters relative to the TAA group. Silymarin was more effective than dandelion in improving liver and kidney functions. Notably, safflower is more effective than both silymarin and dandelion in reducing the harmful effects of TAA on liver and kidney functions. These findings suggest that natural plant extracts such as dandelion and safflower may offer adequate protection against TAA-induced liver and kidney damage.