Protective effects of artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) extract on ionizing radiation-induced hepatic injury

This study investigated the protective effects of artichoke extract (ENG) on ionizing radiation-induced liver damage in rats. Thirty-two 8-week-old male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups (n=8). The control group received a standard pellet diet for 10 days. The radiation group (RAD) was exposed to 5 Gy single-dose radiation and fed a pellet diet for 10 days. The radiation + artichoke extract group (RAD+ENG) received the same radiation dose and then a pellet diet supplemented with 25 mL/kg ENG for 10 days. The ENG group was fed only a pellet diet enriched with 25 mL/kg ENG for 10 days. At the end of the study, animals were sacrificed, and blood and liver samples were collected. Biochemical assays measured serum and hepatic levels of MDA, GSH, GSH-Px, CAT, and SOD, while serum AST and ALT were also determined. Histopathological evaluations assessed liver lesions, and immunohistochemistry was used to detect Caspase-3 expression. Findings indicated that the RAD group exhibited pronounced hepatic degeneration and necrosis, characterized by significant elevations in MDA, AST, and ALT levels, together with a marked reduction in the antioxidant parameters GSH, GSH-Px, CAT, and SOD. In contrast, ENG administration following radiation reduced AST, ALT, and MDA levels while restoring antioxidant enzyme activities. Histological analysis demonstrated milder lesions in the RAD+ENG group, and immunohistochemistry revealed reduced Caspase-3 expression compared to the RAD group. In conclusion, artichoke extract mitigated ionizing radiation-induced oxidative stress, preserved antioxidant defenses, and provided hepatoprotective effects.