Comparative Evaluation of Plumbagin and Sorafenib in NDEA–TAA-Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Effects on Hepatic Function, Redox Homeostasis and Histopathology

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major contributor to cancer-related mortality worldwide and is closely linked to oxidative stress and progressive hepatic dysfunction. This study investigated the effects of plumbagin on antioxidant defense systems and hepatic function markers in an N-nitrosodiethylamine–thioacetamide (NDEA-TAA)-induced experimental model of HCC and compared its efficacy with that of sorafenib. Male Wistar rats were assigned to five groups: normal control, plumbagin-only, HCC control, HCC treated with plumbagin, and HCC treated with sorafenib. Hepatocarcinogenesis was induced using NDEA-TAA, after which antioxidant parameters including reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were evaluated alongside hepatic function markers alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and albumin (ALB). The HCC control group exhibited significant reductions in GSH, GST, GPx, CAT, and SOD activities, accompanied by elevated MDA and ALT levels and decreased ALB concentrations (p ≤ 0.05), indicating severe oxidative stress and hepatic injury. Treatment with plumbagin significantly restored antioxidant enzyme activities, reduced lipid peroxidation, and improved hepatic function relative to the untreated HCC group. These effects were comparable to, and in certain parameters exceeded, those observed following sorafenib administration. The findings demonstrate that plumbagin possesses substantial antioxidative and hepatoprotective properties capable of mitigating oxidative damage and improving liver function in experimental HCC. These findings support further investigation of plumbagin as a redox-modulating candidate in HCC and a basis for future studies incorporating combination treatment, molecular validation and translational models.