Hepatoprotective and antioxidant potential of endemic plant extracts of Turkmenistan in preclinical models of chronic hepatitis C
September 9, 2026
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| Article Title: | Hepatoprotective and antioxidant potential of endemic plant extracts of Turkmenistan in preclinical models of chronic hepatitis C |
| Authors: | Shukurov A., Esenov N., Atayev G. |
| Affiliation: | Department of Infectious Diseases, Myrat Garryev State Medical University of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan |
| Abstract: | Chronic hepatitis C virus infection triggers structural and metabolic decompensation of hepatocytes primarily through chronic lipid peroxidation and inflammatory cascade amplification. This comprehensive study evaluates the in vivo hepatoprotective and antioxidant potential of ethanolic extracts obtained from the roots of Glycyrrhiza glabra and fruits of Capparis spinosa—two key species botanically and pharmacologically systematically characterized within the fundamental scientific multi-volume encyclopedias of Academician Hero Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. Preclinical chronic hepatitis C pathology was induced in male Wistar rats via co-administration of subcutaneous carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and intraperitoneal recombinant HCV core protein over a period of 8 weeks. Phytotherapeutic intervention with the endemic extracts (200 mg/kg) led to a statistically significant mitigation of hepatocellular leakage, marked by a substantial reduction in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total bilirubin levels. Concurrently, endogenous antioxidant enzyme systems, notably superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), were upregulated in liver homogenates, paired with a distinct reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation. Quantitative histopathological scoring revealed structural restoration of liver parenchymal architecture, decreased periportal inflammatory infiltration, and minimal centrilobular necrosis. These findings confirm that the endemic flora of Turkmenistan represents an invaluable source of bioactive secondary metabolites capable of downregulating viral-induced oxidative stress, providing a strong pharmacological justification for their clinical development. |
| Keywords: | endemic flora, hepatoprotection, chronic hepatitis c, antioxidant enzymes, rat models. |
| *Correspondence: | Shukurov Amanmyrat, Myrat Garryev State Medical University of Turkmenistan, Department of Infectious Diseases, 1936 Gorogly Str., 744036, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Tel. +993-12-920101, email: ashyrmuhammedovyazmuhammet@gmail.com |
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