Biochemical studies on the effect of prostaglandin inhibitors and willow bark extract on liver cirrhosis induced by acetylsalicylate in rats

Abstract

Prostaglandins (PGs) are arachidonic acid metabolites produced by the action of the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX). Although PGs are important mediators of inflammation in various diseases, The deciduous herb, Salix mucronata Thunb (commonly called cape silver willow or safsaf willow), is widely distributed along the Nile River in Egypt. Like other willow trees, extracts from safsaf have also been used in traditional medicine. The anti-inflammatory effects of Salix mucronata are the inhibition of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) leading to the inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis. The study aims to assess the induced cirrhotic effect of high doses of prostaglandin inhibitors as acetylsalicylate administration on the liver of rats to determine the protective impact of willow bark ( Salix mucronata ) extract on liver cirrhosis in rats with studying