Therapeutic approaches using natural substances on the thioacetamide-induced animal model of acute liver failure: UHPLC analysis, biochemical and histopathological studies

The present study aimed to evaluate the possible preventive and therapeutic effects of Ononis natrix L. against thioacetamide (TAA, 200 mg/kg BW)-induced acute liver failure in rats. The therapeutic effect on liver failure was assessed by intragastric administration of Ononis natrix extract in a model of thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver failure for 11 days of treatment. Subsequently, liver function was evaluated through biochemical analysis, complemented by morphometric assessments and histopathological examination of hepatic tissue. Our results showed that TAA administration in rats led to exacerbated and impaired liver function, accompanied by alterations in the liver weight ratio. However, pretreatment with the crude extract of Ononis natrix significantly restored the biochemical parameters, normalized the liver weight ratio, and ameliorated the histopathological damage induced by TAA.Therefore, Ononis natrix extract, particularly at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight, can be considered a potent hepatoprotective agent that dose-dependently protects the liver against acute hepatotoxicity induced by TAA. To sum up, the oral administration of the hydro-ethanolic extract of Ononis natrix effectively prevents the biochemical and physiological alterations induced by TAA and restores the hepatic architecture in rats.