Protective effects of <i>Althaea officinalis</i> L. extract against <i>N</i>‐diethylnitrosamine‐induced hepatocellular carcinoma in male Wistar rats through antioxidative, anti‐inflammatory, mitochondrial apoptosis and <scp>PI3K</scp>/Akt/<scp>mTOR</scp> signaling pathways

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the fourth cause of death due to cancer and includes 90% liver tumors. Therefore, in this study, it was tried show that Althaea officinalis L. flower extract (ALOF) can protect hepatocytes against N-diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma. Totally, 70 Wistar rats were divided into seven groups (n = 10/group) sham, DEN, treatment with silymarin (SIL; DEN + SIL), ALOF (DEN 250 500 ALOF), cotreatment SIL ALOF). At end serum levels indices (albumin, total protein, bilirubin, C-reactive ALT, AST, ALP), inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, IL-10, TNF-α), oxidants parameters (glutathione peroxidase [GPx], superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT] activity along nitric oxide [NO] levels) evaluated. The level Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase-3, p53, PI3K, mTOR, AKT genes measured. able regulate biochemical parameters, improve antioxidant indices, decrease proinflammatory significantly (p < .05). both doses mg/kg caused a significant .05) p53-positive cells increase Bcl-2-positive cells. modulate proliferation normal through regulation Bax/Bcl-2/p53 PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways. It seems be used as prodrug or complementary protection induced damages by carcinogens.