Page 239 - EJMO-9-2

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

The liver-protective effects of quercetin are primarily suggests that quercetin may protect the liver from damage.
attributed to its potent antioxidant properties. It is assumed These findings align with previous studies, 34,35 which
that quercetin scavenges free radicals, thus reducing lipid concluded that quercetin could be a beneficial treatment
peroxidation and protecting the liver from damage. By solution for protecting hepatic cells against oxidative stress
blocking the induction of oxidative stress, quercetin and cell injury. Quercetin’s ability to regulate inflammatory
may help prevent liver damage. In addition, quercetin’s pathways and decrease cellular damage further supports
ability to reduce inflammatory cytokines and apoptosis its protective effects on the liver. These histological
in hepatocytes through NF-κB-dependent pathways improvements observed in the present study reinforce the
further emphasizes its protective role. Since NF-κB is a key potential therapeutic benefits of quercetin in liver injury.
regulator of inflammation and cell survival, its inhibition
by quercetin could help reduce inflammation and tissue 5. Conclusion
damage. Therefore, these findings, based on a rat model The results of this study show that quercetin significantly
of liver injury, suggest that quercetin could be a promising improves liver histology, reduces the severity of hepatic
therapeutic agent for severe liver injuries in the future. 31
injury, and exerts a protective effect against paracetamol-
In our study, a significant rise in the levels of induced liver injury by reducing oxidative stress,
caspase-3 in the paracetamol-treated group was observed inflammation, and apoptosis.
compared to the untreated normal group. This suggests
that paracetamol induces caspase-3 activation, which is Acknowledgments
often associated with apoptosis. The group that received None.
paracetamol also showed a significant decrease in the levels
of BCL2 compared to the control group. Thus, paracetamol Funding
may enhance pro-apoptotic signaling whereas suppressing
anti-apoptotic actions. None.
On the contrary, the quercetin-treated group showed Conflict of interest
significantly lower levels of caspase-3 activation, suggesting The authors declare they have no competing interests.
a protective effect against apoptosis. These results align
with the findings of previous studies, whereby pretreatment Author contributions
with quercetin 32,33 preserved histological architecture and
regulated immune expressions of caspase-3 and BCL2, Conceptualization: Yasmeen Ali Hussien
returning them to baseline levels in the liver and kidney. Formal analysis: Salim Fayze
These findings further support that quercetin may regulate Investigation: Yahiya Ibrahim Yahiya
apoptosis-related pathways, making it useful in preventing Methodology: Salim Fayze
paracetamol-induced organ damage. 33 Writing – original draft: Yahiya Ibrahim Yahiya
Writing – review & editing: Yasmeen Ali Hussien
Histological examination of liver sections from the
normal group revealed well-preserved hepatic lobular Ethics approval and consent to participate
architecture, consistent with normal liver function and
structural integrity. In contrast, the paracetamol-treated The approval of the Scientific Research Ethics Committee
control group exhibited features of liver injury, including at the Medical Sciences Center at Al-Kafeel University was
grade 2 histological changes such as prominent congestion obtained for the study protocol (approval date: November
in the centrilobular and midzonal areas, hemorrhage with 15, 2022, decision number: 2022–7).
focal areas of hepatocyte necrosis, and inflammation. These Consent for publication
changes are significantly related to liver dysfunction and
tissue damage. Similarly, the control group showed signs of Not applicable.
grade 1 acetaminophen-induced liver toxicity. Histological
features of this group, such as centrilobular and midzonal Availability of data
congestion and hemorrhage, indicate the early stages of The details and supporting information can be obtained
liver damage. from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Treatment with quercetin improved the liver condition,
where the hepatic injury was reduced to grade 1. Liver References
tissues showed minimal congestion and inflammation; 1. Chalasani NP, Maddur H, Russo MW, Wong RJ, Reddy KR,
the few present were mostly in the centrilobular area. This Practice Parameters Committee of the American College of

Volume 9 Issue 2 (2025) 231 doi: 10.36922/ejmo.7873