Protective effects of artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) extract on ionizing radiation-induced hepatic injury

Ahmet Uyar; Tahir Çakır; Mahmut Yardımcı; Zabit Yener

doi:10.31797/vetbio.1790287

Protective effects of artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) extract on ionizing radiation-induced hepatic injury

Abstract

This study investigated the protective effects of artichoke extract (ENG) on ionizing radiation-induced liver damage in rats. Thirty-two 8-week-old male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups (n=8). The control group received a standard pellet diet for 10 days. The radiation group (RAD) was exposed to 5 Gy single-dose radiation and fed a pellet diet for 10 days. The radiation + artichoke extract group (RAD+ENG) received the same radiation dose and then a pellet diet supplemented with 25 mL/kg ENG for 10 days. The ENG group was fed only a pellet diet enriched with 25 mL/kg ENG for 10 days. At the end of the study, animals were sacrificed, and blood and liver samples were collected. Biochemical assays measured serum and hepatic levels of MDA, GSH, GSH-Px, CAT, and SOD, while serum AST and ALT were also determined. Histopathological evaluations assessed liver lesions, and immunohistochemistry was used to detect Caspase-3 expression. Findings indicated that the RAD group exhibited pronounced hepatic degeneration and necrosis, characterized by significant elevations in MDA, AST, and ALT levels, together with a marked reduction in the antioxidant parameters GSH, GSH-Px, CAT, and SOD. In contrast, ENG administration following radiation reduced AST, ALT, and MDA levels while restoring antioxidant enzyme activities. Histological analysis demonstrated milder lesions in the RAD+ENG group, and immunohistochemistry revealed reduced Caspase-3 expression compared to the RAD group. In conclusion, artichoke extract mitigated ionizing radiation-induced oxidative stress, preserved antioxidant defenses, and provided hepatoprotective effects.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This study is part of a research project funded by Research Foundation of Yüzüncü Yıl University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit (BAP)

Project Number

2016-VF-B003

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Animal Experiments Local Ethics Committee of Yüzüncü Yıl University, (2015/08).

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Veterinary Pathology

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Ahmet Uyar ^*
0000-0003-4345-6756
Türkiye

Tahir Çakır
0000-0003-0080-6605
Türkiye

Mahmut Yardımcı
0000-0002-1542-3968
Türkiye

Zabit Yener
0000-0002-6365-5843
Türkiye

Publication Date

February 17, 2026

Submission Date

September 25, 2025

Acceptance Date

February 2, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31797/vetbio.1790287

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA65NA23JN

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Uyar, A., Çakır, T., Yardımcı, M., & Yener, Z. (2026). Protective effects of artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) extract on ionizing radiation-induced hepatic injury. Journal of Advances in VetBio Science and Techniques, 1, 47-56. https://doi.org/10.31797/vetbio.1790287