Comparative effects of Helmar-1 and Helmar-2 polyphenol extracts on mitochondrial bioenergetics, antioxidant defense, and lipid peroxidation in CCl₄-induced toxic hepatitis in rats

Introduction: Toxic hepatitis is characterized by enhanced oxidative stress and disruption of antioxidant defensemechanisms in the liver mitochondria. In this study, we investigated the effects of polyphenolic extracts (Helmar-1 and Helmar-2) obtained from Helichrysum maracandicum on mitochondrial antioxidant systems in ratswith experimentally induced toxic hepatitis.Methods: Experimental toxic hepatitis was established in rats through intraperitoneal administration of carbontetrachloride (CCl₄) diluted in olive oil (50%, 1 mL/kg), administered twice weekly over a two-week period. Liverinjury was verified by elevated plasma levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase(AST). The animals were subsequently treated with Helmar-1 and Helmar-2 extracts at a dose of 20 mg/kg per dayfor 10 consecutive days. The activities of key antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathioneperoxidase), malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and mitochondrial respiration and oxidative phosphorylationparameters (V₂, V₃, V₄, RCR, and ADP/O ratio) were assessed in liver mitochondria.Results: Treatment with both Helmar-1 and Helmar-2 extracts resulted in a significant enhancement of antioxidantenzyme activities, a marked reduction in MDA levels, and substantial improvement in mitochondrial respirationand oxidative phosphorylation parameters compared to untreated toxic hepatitis groups.Conclusion: Overall, these results confirm that Helichrysum maracandicum polyphenol extracts improve mitochondrial respiration, oxidative phosphorylation efficiency, antioxidant defense, and membrane stability in toxic hepatitis.