Abstract
BACKGROUND: Liver disease is one of the most serious health problems worldwide. In the present scenario, the available therapies for liver ailments are not very effective and systemic toxicity inhibits their long-term use. Several medicinal plants have demonstrated promising effects against liver damage. These plants can help to prevent liver injury, reduce inflammation, enhance liver detoxification, and support liver cell regeneration and one such medicinal plant is Inula racemosa. The bioactive constituents present in the root extract of Inula racemosa i.e. alantolactone and isoalantolactone are responsible for its hepatoprotective potential. OBJECTIVES: The current study aimed to elucidate the preventive action of Inula racemosa root extract against chemically-induced liver damage using Diethylnitrosamine (DEN). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sprague Dawley (SD) 42-male rats were used in a 10-week study to examine the hepatoprotective effects of 3 different dosages (100, 250, and 500 mg/kg body weight) of Inula racemosa root extract against DEN-induced liver damage. The investigation included gross pathology, histopathology, immunohistochemistry (TGF-β and NF- κB), ultrasonography, and serum biochemistry (ALT, AST, ALP, Total protein, Albumin, Creatinine, and BUN). RESULTS: The in vivo research establishes Inula racemosa root extract's hepatoprotective efficacy by ameliorating biochemical parameters, lipid peroxidation, gross and histopathological alterations, and reduced immunohistochemical expression of TGF-β and NF- κB. The greatest defense against chemically-induced liver damage was provided by the highest dosage of the extract i.e. 500 mg/kg body weight. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this investigation showed that the Inula racemosa root extract showed hepatoprotective activity against DEN-induced liver damage in the rat model.