Authors: Iulia Olimpia Pfingstgraf1, Remus Orăsan2, Teodora Alexescu3, Alina Elena Pârvu1
Affiliation
1 Department of Functional Sciences, Pathophysiology, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, Romania
2 Department of of Functional Sciences, Physiology, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, Romania
3 Department of Internal Medicine, 4th Medical Clinic, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy
Abstract
Background. Chronic liver failure (CLF) is a major health problem worldwide and prevention is the major therapeutic goal.
Aims. The current study was designed to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of T. officinale root extract in a pre-established model of chronic liver failure in rats by analyzing the liver tissue biopsy.
Methods. The rat model was induced through immune liver fibrosis triggered by human serum albumin. The liver biopsy was assessed for portal inflammation and fibrosis, for intralobular and periportal degeneration/necrosis, and the Histological Activity Index was calculated. The immunopositivity for 3-nitrotyrosine analysis was also performed.
Results. The results highlighted the hepatoprotective effect of the ethanolic T. officinale root extract, reduced necro-inflammatory changes, Histological Activity Index and 3-nitrotyrosine expression, with no significant effect on fibrosis from the liver tissue in experimental human serum albumin induced chronic liver failure.
Conclusions. Ethanolic T. officinale root extract has a hepatoprotective activity in experimental CLF by reducing necro-inflammatory alterations and 3-nitrotyrosine expression.
Key words: chronic liver failure, Taraxacum officinale, oxidative stress, nitric oxide, 3-nitrotyrosine.
