Short-term hepatic effects of Euphorbia hirta aqueous extract in rats: Biochemical and histological assessment

Abstract

A subacute experimental study was conducted to evaluate the short-term hepatic effects of aqueous Euphorbia hirta extract in adult male albino rats. Twenty rats were randomly assigned into four groups (n = 5): an untreated control group and three treatment groups administered 200 mg/kg, 600 mg/kg, and 1000 mg/kg body weight of the extract orally for fourteen consecutive days. Serum activities of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin levels were determined using standard biochemical methods. Liver tissues were processed using routine histological techniques, stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and examined using a semiquantitative histological scoring system. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance, with significance set at p < 0.05. The results showed no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) in serum liver enzyme activities or bilirubin concentrations between treated groups and the control. Histological evaluation revealed preserved hepatic architecture across all groups, with only mild vascular congestion observed at the highest dose. These findings indicate that short-term oral administration of aqueous Euphorbia hirta extract at the tested doses does not induce biochemical or histopathological evidence of liver injury. Further studies involving longer exposure periods and additional mechanistic markers are recommended to clarify its hepatic safety profile.