PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF VITAMIN C AND VITAMIN E AGAINST LIVER ALTERATION INDUCED BY HYPERICUM PERFORATUM EXTRACT IN MALE ALBINO RATS

Hypericum perforatum, commonly referred to as St. John's wort, possesses a multitude of medicinal and therapeutic applications. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of Hypericum perforatum extract on the structure of the liver, as well as the potential mitigating effects of vitamin C and vitamin E in albino rats. The albino rats were categorized into six groups: the first group served as the control group, the second group received treatment with Hypericum perforatum extract, the third group received treatment with Vitamin C, the fourth group received treatment with Vitamin E, the fifth group received treatment with both the plant extract and Vitamin C, and the last group received treatment with both the extract and Vitamin E. The extract was orally provided for a duration of 15 days, after which the rats were slaughtered for evaluation of their liver tissue. The study findings demonstrated that the only administration of Hypericum perforatum extract led to changes in the structure of the liver. The modifications consisted of hepatocyte degeneration, necrosis and venous congestion. These alterations suggest possible hepatic stress associated with the extract under the present experimental conditions.