Hepatoprotective effects of the Centaurea pungens n-butanol extract against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in rats

Authors

  • Hichem Mezdour 1. Department of Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences and of Earth and Universe Sciences, University of Mohamed El Bachir El Ibrahimi, Bordj Bou Arreridj, 34000, Algeria; 2. Laboratory of Biology and Environment, Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University of Constantine 1 Frères Mentouri, Aïn El Bey Road, 25000, Constantine, Algeria https://orcid.org/0009-0001-9644-0849
  • Ahmed Menad 1. Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University of Constantine 1 Frères Mentouri, Aïn El Bey Road, 25000, Constantine, Algeria; 2. Laboratory of Biology and Environment, Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University of Constantine 1 Frères Mentouri, Aïn El Bey Road, 25000, Constantine, Algeria https://orcid.org/0009-0007-5464-5305
  • Souad Amedah 1. Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University of Constantine 1 Frères Mentouri, Aïn El Bey Road, 25000, Constantine, Algeria; 2. Laboratory of Biology and Environment, Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University of Constantine 1 Frères Mentouri, Aïn El Bey Road, 25000, Constantine, Algeria https://orcid.org/0009-0003-4500-9172

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2298/ABS260206009M

Keywords:

Centaurea pungens, carbon tetrachloride, hepatotoxicity, antioxidant activity, polyphenols

Abstract

Paper description:

  • Species of the genus Centaurea (Asteraceae) are widely used in Algerian folk medicine to treat fever, digestive disorders, and inflammatory conditions.
  • The antioxidant activity and hepatoprotective potential of the n-butanol extract of pungens (BECP) were evaluated against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced liver injury in Wistar rats, using biochemical, oxidative stress, and histological parameters. Cytotoxicity was assessed in vitro on HepG2 cells.
  • BECP was non-toxic in vitro and in vivo, and dose-dependently reduced liver enzyme levels, lipid peroxidation, and restored antioxidant enzyme activities, corroborated by histopathological improvement.
  • These findings support pungens as a safe natural source of bioactive polyphenols with potential therapeutic value in oxidative stress-related liver disorders.

Abstract: The study evaluated the antioxidant and hepatoprotective potential of the n-butanol extract of Centaurea pungens (BECP) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats. The safety of BECP was demonstrated through acute cytotoxicity tests and MTT assays. BECP showed in vitro radical scavenging activity. Pretreatment with BECP (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) significantly alleviated liver markers in a dose-dependent manner, restoring antioxidant status. The results suggested that Centaurea pungens exerts strong hepatoprotective effects mediated by bioactive compounds identified by total phenolic content and LC-MS analysis, supporting its potential in liver disorder treatment.

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Published

2026-07-09

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1.
Mezdour H, Menad A, Amedah S. Hepatoprotective effects of the Centaurea pungens n-butanol extract against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in rats. Arch Biol Sci [Internet]. 2026Jul.9 [cited 2026Jul.11];78(2):151-65. Available from: https://www.serbiosoc.org.rs/arch/index.php/abs/article/view/12140

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Vol. 78 No. 2 (2026)

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Copyright (c) 2026 Hichem Mezdour, Ahmed Menad, Souad Amedah

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