IJAR.2026.159
Type of Article: Original Research
Volume 14; Issue 2 (June 2026)
Page No.: 9568-9582
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.16965/ijar.2026.159
Ameliorative Effect of Ferula Asafoetida on Formaldehyde-Induced Liver Damage in Male Rats: Biochemical, Histological, and Immunohistochemical Perspectives of Ki-67 Expression
Thulluri Sravani Priya *1, Karthick Selvaraj 2, Y. Divya Prafulla 3, Saravana Kumar. S 4.
*1 PhD Scholar, Department of Anatomy, Meenakshi medical college hospital and Research institute, Meenakshi Academy of higher Education and Research University, Chennai-631552 ORCiD: 0009-0001-0549-3137
2 Professor and HOD, Department of Anatomy, Meenakshi medical college hospital and Research institute, Meenakshi Academy of higher Education and Research University, Chennai-631552 ORCiD: 0000-0001-5977-3305
3 AssociateProfessor, Department of Pathology, Kamineni Institute of Medical Sciences, Narketpally, Hyderabad -508254. ORCiD: 0000-0001-8802-8152
4 Associate professor, Department of Anatomy, Meenakshi medical college hospital and Research institute, Meenakshi Academy of higher Education and Research University, Chennai-631552 ORCiD: 0000-0002-7213-2825
Corresponding Author: Thulluri Sravani Priya, PhD Scholar, Department of Anatomy, Meenakshi medical college hospital and Research institute, Meenakshi Academy of higher Education and Research University, Chennai-631552. E-Mail: priya.anjibabu@gmail.com
Abstract
Background: Formaldehyde is a common environment and industrial toxicant that is known to cause oxidative stress-mediated hepatotoxicity. Antioxidant and cytoprotective properties of natural compounds like Ferula asafoetida have been explored to alleviate such toxic effects. This study sought to compare the hepatoprotective and anti-proliferative properties of Ferula asafoetida on formaldehyde-induced liver damage in male albino rats, using biochemical, histological, and immunohistochemical methods.
Materials and Methods: Thirty six adult male albino rats were randomly categorized into six groups (n = 6). Animals were given oral formaldehyde (10 mg/kg) and/or Ferula asafoetida extract (25 mg/kg) over a period of 42 days, after which they were allowed a 42 days recovery period in respective groups. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in serum at Days 15, 29, 43, and 85. The weight of the liver was measured at the conclusion of the experiment period. Hematoxylin and eosin staining were used to evaluate histopathological and Ki-67 immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate cellular proliferation. One-way ANOVA with Tukey post hoc test were used to conduct statistical analysis.
Results: Formaldehyde exposure led to a substantial increase in the levels of AST, ALT, and ALP suggestive of progressive hepatocellular and hepatobiliary damage. Histological examination showed that the inflammation, fibrosis and hepatocellular apoptosis were significantly increased with a rise in Ki-67 expression, which indicated an improvement in cell proliferation. A partial response was on the co-administration of Ferula asafoetida to inhibit biochemical changes, histopathological injury and decrease Ki-67. The differences in liver weights of recovery groups were not statistically significant. Although there was some improvement, after the exposure was stopped, hepatic architecture and function could not fully recover.
Conclusion: Ferula asafoetida shows moderate hepatoprotective and anti-proliferative effects against liver toxicity induced by formaldehyde, but does not completely reverse hepatic homeostasis.
Keywords: Formaldehyde, Ferula asafoetida, hepatotoxicity, Ki-67, immunohistochemistry, liver weight.
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