Exploring the Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Potential of Prunella Vulgaris Extract: A Comprehensive Biochemical and Mechanistic Investigation in Thioacetamide Liver Injury Model and FRAP Assay

Abstract

The current work used the Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay model and a thioacetamide-induced liver damage model to investigate the pharmacological effects of Prunella vulgaris stem and leaf extract. The study explored the hepatoprotective and antioxidant potential of plant extract. The hepatoprotective effect of the plant extract was studied in thioacetamide induced liver damage model and the antioxidant effect was evaluated in FRAP assay model. Moreover, various molecular and biochemical markers wer also investigated. These markers included lipid profile analysis viz, total cholesterol (TC). triglycerides (TG), HDL, LDL and liver function test including SGPT (ALT), SGOT (AST), ALP, γ-GT levels. Total Serum Protein level, Serum Albumin level, Serum Bilirubin level, and Conjugated Bilirubin level were also estimated. Various hallmark markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant defense system viz, CAT, SOD, GSH and TBARS were also estimated. The results clearly demonstrated amelioration of the harmful and damaging effect of hepatotoxicity in terms of reversal and normalization of all the biochemical markers. The results also revealed the normalization of the oxidative stress markers and improved the antioxidant defense system as a result of the treatment with the plant extract. The findings contribute to the expanding body of knowledge regarding natural botanicals and extracts that promote liver function and may facilitate the development of therapeutic approaches that take advantage of the therapeutic benefits of Prunella vulgaris extract in averting oxidative stress-related hepatic