Silymarin, derived from Silybum marianum, has been used in traditional medicine for various ailments. In this study, the cardioprotective and hepatoprotective effects of silymarin against paracetamol-induced oxidative stress were examined in 28 male Swiss Webster mice, divided into four groups and treated for 7 days (via the oral route) with (a) saline 1 mL/kg (control group), (b) saline 1 mL/kg + single dose of paracetamol 110 mg/kg on the 7th day; (c) silymarin 50 mg/kg; and (d) silymarin 50 mg/kg + single dose of paracetamol 110 mg/kg on the 7th day. In vitro and in vivo antioxidant activity together with liver enzyme activity were evaluated. Histopathological and immunohistochemical assessment was performed. Silymarin mitigated paracetamol-induced liver injury by reducing oxidative stress markers such as lipid peroxidation and restoring antioxidant enzyme activity. Silymarin treatment resulted in a significant decrease in liver enzyme levels. Reduced necrosis and inflammatory infiltrate in liver tissues of silymarin-treated groups were detected as well. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated reduced expression of inflammatory markers (COX2, iNOS) and oxidative stress marker (SOD2) in the liver tissues of the silymarin-treated groups. Similar trends were observed in cardiac tissue. These results suggest that silymarin exerts potent hepatoprotective and cardioprotective effects against paracetamol-induced oxidative stress, making it a promising therapeutic agent for liver and heart diseases associated with oxidative damage.

To examine antioxidant capacity and the hepatoprotective effect of carob pulp flour, microwave-assisted extraction was performed. The influence of ethanol concentration (0–40% w/w), extraction time (5–25 min) and irradiation power (400–800 W) on DPPH, FRAP and ABTS antioxidant activity of carob pulp flour extract was evaluated. The strongest influence was that of the ethanol concentration, followed by extraction time. Optimal process parameters for maximizing total antioxidant activity were determined, using response surface methodology: ethanol concentration 40%, time 25 min and power 800 W. Carob extract obtained at optimal conditions (CE) was analyzed in vivo using a paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity model in mice. Treatment with CE attenuated the parameters of liver injury, especially aspartate and alanine aminotransferase activity, and prevented paracetamol-induced increase in malondialdehyde levels. Pretreatment with CE reversed the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S-transferase enzymes after the high dose of paracetamol in the liver. Hepatotoxicity induced using a toxic dose of paracetamol was also seen through histopathological alterations, which were significantly reduced in the groups treated with CE prior to paracetamol. Still, the number of Kupffer cells and macrophages did not differ among groups. Finally, pretreatment of mice with CE and paracetamol significantly decreased the expression of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) in hepatocytes.

Dyslipidemia and obesity are recognized as two of the major global health issues and main risk factors for coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular disease. In recent years, carob has shown certain antioxidant and anti-dyslipidemic potential. In this study, Wistar rats were fed with a standard and cholesterol-enriched diet and treated orally with carob extract and simvastatin for four weeks. After sacrifice, blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis, and liver tissue was taken for histological and immunohistochemical assessment. Weight gain was significantly higher in groups fed with cholesterol-fortified granules; total cholesterol was found to be significantly lower in the hypercholesterolemic groups treated with simvastatin and simvastatin/carob combined regimens compared with hypercholesterolemic animals treated with saline (p < 0.05). The same was true for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and the LDL/HDL ratio (p < 0.05). Adiponectin was remarkably higher in animals treated with simvastatin compared to all other groups (p < 0.05). Leptin was significantly lower in groups treated with carob and simvastatin compared to the hypercholesterolemic group treated with saline (p < 0.05). Carob/simvastatin co-administration reduced hepatocyte damage and improved liver morphology. A study confirmed the anti-dyslipidemic, anti-obesity, and hepatoprotective potential of carob pulp alone or in combination with simvastatin in the treatment of high-fat diet-fed rats.