COMPARATIVE HEPATOPROTECTIVE, ANTIOXIDANT, AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EFFECTS OF SAFFLOWER OIL AND COTTONSEED OIL IN PARACETAMOL-INDUCED ACUTE TOXIC HEPATITIS

«Farmatsiya» · № 5/2026 · с. 121–131

Fayzullayeva Nigora Yakhyaevna, Kayumov Abrorjon Anvarovich, Raufov Alisher Anvarovich

Institute of Immunology and Human Genomics of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Abstract

This study evaluated the hepatoprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects of cold-pressed safflower oil in male Wistar rats with paracetamol-induced acute toxic hepatitis. Liver injury was induced by intragastric administration of paracetamol (1000 mg/kg) for two consecutive days, followed by oral safflower oil treatment (10 mL/kg) for 14 days. Serum biochemical markers, malondialdehyde, antioxidant enzymes, inflammatory cytokines, and liver histopathology were assessed. Paracetamol caused significant hepatic injury, characterized by increased aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities, elevated malondialdehyde, reduced antioxidant enzyme activity, inflammatory alterations, and marked histopathological damage. Safflower oil significantly reduced aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase levels, decreased malondialdehyde, restored superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, and reduced IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-4 levels (p < 0.05). Histological examination demonstrated reduced hepatocellular degeneration, necrosis, inflammatory infiltration, and early fibrotic changes. Thus, cold-pressed safflower oil demonstrated hepatoprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects in experimental paracetamol-induced acute toxic hepatitis, suggesting its potential as a natural adjunctive agent in toxic liver injury.

Keywords: Rat; toxic hepatitis; safflower oil; hepatoprotective activity; oxidative stress; antioxidant enzymes; inflammatory cytokines; liver histology, cottonseed oil.

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