Page 237 - EJMO-9-2

Eurasian Journal of
Medicine and Oncology Quercetin effects in rats with liver injury

A B

C D

Figure 7. Hepatic cysteine-aspartic acid protease 3 (caspase-3) levels
(ng/g). The average hepatic caspase-3 levels (ng/g) among the four groups, Figure 9. Histopathological findings. (A) Normal group. (B) Paracetamol
expressed as mean ± standard error of the mean, are significant at p<0.05. group. (C) Paracetamol + quercetin group. (D) Quercetin group. A: ×400
Notes: *refers to statistical significance between paracetamol versus magnification, 40 µm scale bar; B: ×400 magnification 40 µm scale bar;
#
the control group at p<0.05. refers to statistical significance between C: ×200 magnification 20 µm scale bar; D: ×100 magnification 10 µm
quercetin versus the paracetamol group at p<0.05. scale bar.
not exert any deleterious effects on liver morphology and
may contribute to maintaining normal hepatic function.
These histopathological changes are comprehensively
illustrated in Figure 9.

4. Discussion
Due to its widespread availability and perceived safety,
excessive or prolonged use of paracetamol poses a
significant health risk, primarily through hepatotoxicity.
17
Paracetamol overdose is a leading cause of acute liver
failure, a condition that has become a major global public
health concern. 18
Quercetin is a naturally occurring bioflavonoid in most
fruits and vegetables with extensive pharmacological
19
Figure 8. Hepatic B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) levels (ng/g). The average properties. Multiple studies have reported quercetin as an
hepatic BCL2 levels (ng/g) among the four groups, expressed as mean ± effective agent in preventing and slowing the process of chronic
standard error of the mean, are significant at p<0.05. disease development, such as chronic neurodegenerative
Notes: *refers to statistical significance between paracetamol versus 20,21
the control group at p<0.05. refers to statistical significance between diseases, cardiovascular conditions, and cancer.
#
quercetin versus the paracetamol group at p<0.05. One of the key mechanisms underlying quercetin’s
protective efficacy lies in its potent antioxidant activity.
effect of quercetin in mitigating paracetamol-induced It effectively neutralizes free radicals, thereby reducing
liver damage. While some inflammatory cell infiltration oxidative stress and inhibiting lipid peroxidation – crucial
and vascular congestion remained, the overall histological mechanisms in cellular damage and disease development.
appearance indicated a substantial improvement in hepatic In addition, quercetin enhances the activity of antioxidant
architecture. enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and
The quercetin-only group (Figure 9D) exhibited liver GSH peroxidase. By increasing these enzymatic activities,
histology nearly indistinguishable from the control group, quercetin helps protect hepatocytes from oxidative damage
with well-organized hepatocytes, intact sinusoidal spaces, and maintains cellular homeostasis. 22
and minimal or no evidence of necrosis, inflammation, or In addition to its antioxidant properties, quercetin
congestion. This finding suggests that quercetin alone does exhibits significant anti-inflammatory effects. It functions

Volume 9 Issue 2 (2025) 229 doi: 10.36922/ejmo.7873