Exploring the ameliorative effects of hollyhock (Alcea hohenackeri Boiss.) flower extract against liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats: chemical composition, biochemical and histopathological evaluation.

This study investigated the therapeutic effects of Alcea hohenackeri plant methanolic flower extract (AhFME) on rat liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). The phenolic profile of AhFME was determined and quantified by liquid chromatography- mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Forty-two rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (n = 7): control group, CCl4 group (2 mL/kg of CCl4 diluted to 30 % by volume with olive oil, administered intraperitoneally twice a week), CCl4 + AhFME group (50, 150 and 450 mg/kg, gavage), and a CCl4 + silymarin (100 mg/kg, gavage) group. After five weeks, blood and liver tissues were collected. Nicotiflorin (55.28), astragalin (54.751), fumaric acid (15.413), and rutin (9.115) were quantified as mg analyte/mg extract according to LC-MS/MS analysis. AhFME treatment (450 mg/kg) significantly decreased in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (P < 0.01), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (P < 0.05), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (P < 0.01), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL_c) (P < 0.05) and malondialdehyde (MDA) (P < 0.0001) levels compared to the CCl4 group. The 450 mg/kg AhFME improved oxidative stress by increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL_c) (P < 0.05), reduced glutathione (GSH) (P < 0.01), catalase (P < 0.01) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) (P < 0.05) levels. Based on histopathological findings (hydropic-vacuolar degeneration, necrosis, fibrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration and bile duct proliferation), the healing effects of AhFME on CCl4-induced hepatoxicity were observed in accordance with biochemical findings. In conclusion, hollyhock methanolic flower extract, especially at 450 mg/kg, has a therapeutic role in liver disorders associated with CCl4-induced oxidative stress due to its high phenolic content.