Synergistic hepatoprotection by supplementing Saussurea costus (falc.) lipsch and Glycyrrhiza glabra L. in combination against Diethylnitrosamine-induced liver damage in rats

This study aims to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of combined Saussurea costus and Glycyrrhiza glabra extracts against diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatic damage in rats. In the present investigation, the in vivo experimental study involved forty-two male Albino Wistar rats allocated into seven groups of six rats in each. Group I served as the vehicle control (10% DMSO) and Group II was administered DEN at a concentration of 0.01% in drinking water. Group III received both DEN and silymarin at 25 mg/kg bw. Groups IV and V were treated with individual extracts of S. costus and G. glabra at 250 mg/kg bw, respectively. Groups VI and VII received combined lower (LDC) and higher doses (HDC) of both plant extracts i.e., 125 mg/kg bw and 250 mg/kg bw, respectively. The ultrasonographic evaluation revealed a significant increase in hepatic echotexture in the positive control group compared to ameliorative groups provided with various plant extract combinations depicting minimal changes comparable to the standard control i.e., rats provided with silymarin. Serum levels of ALT, AST, ALB, creatinine, and LPO indicating liver damage were diminished in the various treatment groups compared to group II receiving DEN only. Therefore, the current study concluded that the higher combined dosage of the root extracts of S. costus and G. glabra i.e., 250 mg/kg bw each, demonstrated the hepatoprotective effect against DEN-induced liver damage in the rat model.