Echinops Asteraceae extract guards against malathion-induced liver damage via minimizing oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis.

Malathion (MAL) is one of the highly toxic organophosphorus (OP) compounds that induces hepatotoxicity. Echinops. ritro leaves extract (ERLE) is traditionally used in the treatment of bacterial/fungal infections. This study's goal was to investigate the potential of extracts from ERLE against hepatotoxicity induced by MAL in male albino rats. Four equal groups of forty mature male albino rats were created: The rats in the first group used as a control. The second group of rats received ERLE orally. The third group received MAL. ERLE and MAL were administered to the fourth group of rats. Six-week treatment groups were conducted. Using lipid peroxidation indicators [malondialdehyde (MDA), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST)], oxidative stress markers [catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)], apoptotic markers [Bcl-2 & caspase-3] and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). Rats treated with MAL underwent a significant increase on MDA, ALT, AST, caspase-3 and TNF-α marker with a significant decrease in antioxidant markers [CAT, SOD, GPx] and Bcl-2. Histologically, MAL-treated group's liver sections displayed damaged hepatocytes with collapsed portions, pyknotic nuclei, vacuolated cytoplasm, and congested central veins. Ultra structurally, rat livers treated with MAL showed dilated cisternae of endoplasmic reticulum, swollen mitochondria with disrupted cristae, nuclei with disrupted chromatin content, multiple lysosomes, multiple vacuolations and a disrupted blood sinusoid. With rats treated with ERLE, these alterations were essentially non-existent. It is possible to conclude that ERLE protects against MAL hepatotoxicity, and that this protection is related, at least in part, to its antioxidant activities. [Display omitted] • Drug-Induced Hepatotoxicity : o Synthetic drugs and xenobiotics can lead to clinical hepatic dysfunction, negatively impacting liver health and function. o Chronic exposure to harmful substances like drugs, alcohol, and infections can cause lipid peroxidation, oxidative stress, and cell necrosis, causing liver damage. • Role of Phytochemicals and Herbal Remedies : o A safer and more effective alternative are traditional medications, such herbal plant cures, because of their minimal side effects and pharmacological benefits. o Plant phytochemicals offer hepatoprotective benefits by reducing necrotic cell death, restoring antioxidant defence, reducing oxidative stress, and preventing tissue inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction. • Echinops Asteraceae Extract : o Extracts from Echinops ritro L. exhibit no acute toxicity in assessments antioxidant activity, and altered enzymes in liver tissue, suggesting that the Asteraceae family may have hepatoprotective qualities. Echinops Asteraceae extract has been found to protect against malathion-induced liver damage by exhibiting antioxidant properties and enzyme modulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]