High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography Fingerprinting Analysis and Hepatoprotective Effects of Scrophularia striata Aerial Parts Against Acetaminophen-Induced Acute Hepatotoxicity in Mice

The liver performs detoxification, making it vulnerable to damage by common hepatotoxic medicines such as acetaminophen. Finding new medicines to prevent and treat liver damage caused by hepatotoxic drugs is an important area of research. In this study, an Iranian endemic plant Scrophularia striata that belongs to the botanical family containing hepatoprotective compounds was selected for phytochemical, biochemical and histopathological studies against acetaminophen hepatotoxicity in mice. Animals were treated for 6 days with methanolic extract (100, 300, 1000 mg/kg) and then received an acetaminophen toxic dose (400 mg/kg) on the last day. Blood and liver tissue samples were prepared 24 hours later. HPTLC chromatograms showed different phytochemicals including phenolics and triterpenoids. The plant extract decreased the activity of liver enzymes and liver tissue injuries significantly. Our results showed a hepatoprotective effect of S. striata against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity and indicated that these effects can be due to the presence of phenolic and triterpenoid content.