Abstract
Background and objective: Liver fibrosis is a major health problem. Till now, no successful treatment developed for this liver disorder. This experimental study aimed to assess effects of Luteolin (Lu), Quercetin (Qu) and their combination on Thioacetamide (TAA) induced hepatic fibrosis. Materials and Methods: Fifty four rats were allocated into 9 equal groups. First group (control) received saline, second group received intraperitoneal TAA, third to fifth group treated orally with Lu, Qu or their combination for 3 weeks, sixth to ninth group received TAA first followed by Lu, Qu and their combination or metformin. At end of the experiment, liver function tests and oxidative stress markers were measured. Liver was examined microscopically. Results: Treatment of rats with TAA showed significant increase in liver enzymes; while total protein, albumin, catalase, superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione were significantly decreased versus control. Liver sections after 4 weeks of TAA exposure showed fibrosis and hepatocytic destruction. Treating TAA-rats with Lu or Qu or their combination attenuated changes in liver functions, oxidative stress and histopathological changes. Conclusion: Using both Qu and Lu resulted in synergetic effect of their individual hepatoprotective effects against TAA induced biochemical and histological changes in rat liver.