EST-induced hepatic damage
EST-caused liver injury
Blood levels of albumin and total protein dramatically dropped (P<0.05). In contrast, blood activities of ALT, AST and ALP significantly rose when EST and self-treated EST were compared to control mice (Table 1). However, compared to the EST and self-treated EST groups, the COE-treated Co-treated (COE+EST) and post-treated (EST+COE) mice exhibited a significant decrease in ALT, AST and ALP levels and a significant increase in albumin and t-protein levels; the ameliorated group was more noticeable in the post-treated group (Table 1).
Activity of antioxidant enzymes
When EST and self-treated EST liver homogenates were compared to control mice, MDA levels were significantly higher and GSH, SOD and CAT activities were significantly lower (Table 2). However, comparing the EST+COE groups with the EST and self-treated EST groups showed substantial (P<0.05) reductions in MDA and significant (P<0.05) increases in SOD; the post-treated group showed a more pronounced ameliorative effect (Table 2).
Liver histopathology
In the liver tissues of COE groups of animals, the histological changes from the control group revealed hepatocytes with eosinophilic cytoplasm, conspicuous round nuclei and a fine arrangement of Kupffer cells with a few spaced hepatic sinusoids between the hepatic cords (Fig 1 G1, G2). Additionally, COE showed significant tissue damage, including hepatic cord degeneration and noticeable inflammatory cells in liver tissues from EST-bearing mice and self-treated EST, along with pyknotic nuclei suggesting apoptosis, moderate fibrosis and widespread hepatocyte necrosis (Fig 1 G3). When EST mice were co-treated with COE, their liver sections showed mild damage and a noticeable recovery in all hepatocyte alterations (Fig 1 G4).
An event that causes things to grow. Tumour burden significantly affects the function of host organs, especially those involved in metabolism, such as the liver
(Ayala et al., 2014; Ighodaro et al., 2018; Obaid et al., 2025). The liver is very important for maintaining the body’s metabolism, removing toxins and regulating redox. As a result, tumours place significant strain on the body’s metabolism
(Birben et al., 2012). The current study found that mice with EST had clear biochemical and histological signs of liver problems. The blood had more ALT, AST and ALP, but less albumin and total protein. Because of these changes, the membranes of liver cells are less stable and the liver isn’t producing as many proteins as it should. This makes sense with what we know about signs of liver damage
(Razooki et al., 2025; Ahmeda et al., 2026).
Oxidative stress associated with tumours constitutes a significant molecular axis responsible for these alterations. When tumour cells grow quickly, their mitochondria are reprogrammed and their redox metabolism changes, leading to excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS)
(Percie et al., 2020; Abd El-Rahmana et al., 2024). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are essential for cellular signalling; however, excessive ROS can damage proteins, nucleic acids and lipid membranes
(Ohkawa et al., 1979; Alankooshi et al., 2023). The increased hepatic MDA levels in mice with EST confirm lipid peroxidation and membrane damage. The body’s natural defences against free radicals are weakening because SOD and CAT levels have dropped significantly. Scientists agree that this difference between oxidative stress and antioxidant defence is a major reason why people with tumour organs fail
(Alyasiri et al., 2025). Histopathology studies support the idea that redox causes harm. The inflammation, liver cell damage, sinusoid disruption and necrotic changes observed in EST animals are analogous to the mitochondrial damage and cell death induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Oxidative stress has been shown to initiate pathways that lead to inflammation and fibrosis, worsening tissue damage beyond the initial oxidative injury
(Bradford et al., 1976; Al-Khuzaay et al., 2024). The biochemical and histological results of this study support the idea that the main reason EST-bearing mice have liver problems is that their bodies are out of balance with oxidative stress. Natural bioactive compounds rich in flavonoids and phenolics have attracted greater attention as potential means to rebalance redox and oxidative stress associated with tumours. People know that some species of Convolvulus produce secondary metabolites that are effective at fighting free radicals and reducing swelling
(Percie et al., 2020; Hameed et al., 2025). The present study demonstrated that administration of
Convolvulus oxyphyllus extract (COE) significantly reduced the elevated levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and liver enzymes induced by EST. It also restored superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity. The group that received treatment had a clearer path to recovery, suggesting that the redox-modulatory effect was more than just a way to stop the disease. Phenolic compounds safeguard cells by directly eliminating free radicals and modifying the functionality of antioxidant signalling pathways. The body’s system for fighting free radicals depends on NRF2, which stands for nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (
Al-Saeedi et al., 2026). It controls the transcription of genes that encode enzymes that help cells eliminate toxins and protect them from damage. When NRF2 is activated, it restores redox balance, prevents lipid peroxidation and protects tissues from damage during pathological stress. This study did not immediately analyse NRF2 expression; however, the restoration of SOD and CAT activity to baseline levels post-COE treatment indicates that the frame’s intrinsic antioxidant mechanisms were enhanced rather than merely exhibiting a chemical antioxidant effect
(Sies et al., 2020; Al-Obaidi et al., 2022). Controlled changes in oxidative stress are becoming a more likely option for cancer patients who have tried a lot of other treatments. Cancer cells need a very carefully controlled redox stability to keep growing without causing oxidative stress, which is bad. There are ways to restore the body’s redox balance to normal that don’t involve prolonging tumour survival, but they aren’t easy. The results of this study support the idea that COE might also protect the liver by boosting its antioxidant defences and reducing the oxidative damage caused by the tumour burden
(Reczek et al., 2017; Hayes et al., 2014; Ahmed et al., 2025). The results show that tumour-induced oxidative stress is a major driver of liver problems in animals with EST.
Convolvulus oxyphyllus extract safeguards the liver by regulating redox reactions. We should investigate the molecular mechanisms of antioxidant signalling pathways to understand better how these protective effects work and to develop COE as a more effective treatment for tumour-induced liver damage. One option is to look into NRF2 and the things it controls
(Kashyap et al., 2021; Zhang et al., 2020; Al-Dulimi et al., 2025).