Abstract
- Background
Medicago sativa Linn, commonly known as alfalfa, is a nutrient-rich tonic plant containing high levels of proteins, vitamins, and minerals, and is traditionally used to manage various conditions due to its potent pharmacological properties, particularly its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Nicotine exposure induces systemic toxicity, oxidative stress, inflammation, and hepatic injury. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of alfalfa methanolic extract in preventing liver damage caused by nicotine administration in a rat model.
- Methods
Total phenolic and flavonoid contents, alongside the free radical scavenging activity (IC50) of the alfalfa methanolic extract, were quantified. A total of 30 Wistar rats were randomly divided into five experimental groups: an untreated control group, a nicotine-only group, and three treatment groups receiving nicotine combined with alfalfa methanolic extract at doses of 100, 250, and 500 milligrams per kilogram daily, respectively. Alfalfa extract was administered orally, while nicotine was given via intraperitoneal injection at 0.5 milligrams per kilogram daily for 21 days. Assessments included body weight gain, liver-to-body weight ratios, serum liver functional enzymes, lipid profiles, oxidative stress markers, pro-inflammatory parameters, and hepatic histopathological changes.
- Results
Total phenols, flavonoids, and IC50 values of the extract were determined as 51.68 ± 0.62 milligrams of gallic acid equivalents per gram, 18.55 ± 1.01 milligrams of quercetin equivalents per gram, and 350.91 ± 16.46 micrograms per milliliter, respectively. Nicotine exposure significantly altered all measured physiological and biochemical parameters toward abnormal states. Conversely, supplementation with alfalfa methanolic extract promoted weight gain, improved the liver-to-body weight ratio, enhanced enzymatic antioxidant levels, and reduced malondialdehyde, liver functional enzymes, and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. Furthermore, blood lipid profiles and hepatic histopathological architecture showed marked, dose-dependent improvements following the extract treatment.
- Conclusions
Alfalfa methanolic extract effectively mitigates nicotine-induced liver damage in a dose-dependent manner by suppressing inflammation and alleviating oxidative stress.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8976666/