Paclitaxel (PTX) is one of the front-line chemotherapeutic drugs that exhibit anti-cancer effects against different types of tumors. On the other hand, it has the tendency to disrupt normal functioning of non-targeted organs including liver. Combretol (CBT) is a plant-based compound with potential medicinal properties. The present research investigated the ameliorative potential of CBT against PTX provoked hepatic injury in albino rats. Thirty-two rats were divided into four equal groups (n=8) including, control, PTX (7.5mg/kg) treated, PTX + CBT (7.5mg/kg + 20mg/kg) co-treated and CBT (20mg/kg). The trial was conducted for 28 days and upon completion of the trial, the results showed that PTX exhibited significant deleterious impacts on hepatic tissues. PTX administration increased the levels of inflammatory markers (NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β and COX-2), pro-apoptotic markers (Bax, Caspase-3, and Caspase-9), hepatic function indices (AST, ALP and ALT) and oxidative stress markers (MDA and ROS). Moreover, PTX provision compromised the integrity of hepatic tissues via inducing histological anomalies and reducing the level of anti-apoptotic marker (Bcl-2). Moreover, the activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GST, GPx, GSR, CAT) and GSH contents were reduced following PTX administration. However, CBT supplementation protected the hepatic tissues from PTX-provoked disruptions due to its antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective properties.

To Cite This Article: Ijaz MU, Ahmad H, Salar MZ, Batool M, Naz H and Hamdi H, 2025. Combretol mitigates paclitaxel-instigated hepatotoxicity via counteracting oxidative stress, apoptosis and inflammation. Pak Vet J. http://dx.doi.org/10.29261/pakvetj/2025.293