Yousif A. Elhassaneen^1,, Amira H. Darwish¹, Alaa A. Mosa¹

Alchemilla vulgaris (Lady’s mantle) has shown various therapeutic properties, yet its liver-protective potential remains underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate its hepatoprotective effects in a rat model of CCl₄-induced liver toxicity and to characterize its bioactive compounds. Thirty rats were divided into five groups: a negative control, a CCl₄-induced positive control, and three treatment groups receiving ethanol extract of Lady’s mantle (AVE) at doses of 150, 300, and 450 mg/kg body weight/day. Proximate analysis of the aerial parts revealed 39.86% carbohydrates, 30.92% crude fiber, 15.94% protein, 10.83% ash, and 2.45% fat. The ethanol extract was rich in bioactive compounds, including phenolics (621.67 µg GAE/g), terpenoids (411.52 µg/g), anthocyanins (214.66 µg/g), flavonoids (181.45 µg/g), and triterpenoids (129.34 µg/g). AVE exhibited strong antioxidant activity (87.34%), with an IC50 of 14.42 µg/mL. In the biological study, AVE treatment dose-dependently improved body weight gain, food intake, and feed efficiency ratio in hepatotoxic rats. Liver function markers also improved, with glycogen content increasing by 128.64%, G6PD activity by 95.78%, and G6Pase activity decreasing by 53.25% at the highest dose. Serum lipid profiles were corrected, with HDL-c increasing by up to 65.06%, LDL-c decreasing by 32.52%, and total cholesterol dropping by up to 9.42%. Antioxidant defenses were restored as reduced glutathione increased by 89.49%, while oxidative stress markers such as ROS and MDA decreased by up to 53.61% and 26.01%, respectively. Histopathological analysis confirmed reduced liver damage and inflammation in treated groups. In conclusion, Alchemilla vulgaris ethanol extract demonstrates potent antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties. Further investigation may support its use as a natural therapeutic agent for liver disorders.

Antioxidant activity, scavenging activity, liver functions, serum lipid profile, glutathione fractions, reactive oxygen species, malonaldehyde