Tikrit Journal of Pure Science Vol. 27 (6) 2022 18 Tikrit Journal of Pure Science ISSN: 1813 – 1662 (Print) --- E-ISSN: 2415 – 1726 (Online) Journal Homepage: http://tjps.tu.edu.iq/index.php/tjps Evaluation of the hepatoprotective role of ethanolic Saussurea lappa root extract in female rats experimentally exposed to propylthiouracil Mohamed Rashed Abd 1 , Saleh M Rahim 1,2 , Ahmad Hamed Saleh 1,2 1 Department of Biology, College of Science, Kirkuk University, Kirkuk , Iraq 2 Department of Radiology Technologies, College of Al-Qalam University, Kirkuk, Iraq https://doi.org/10.25130/tjps.v27i6.753 A r t i c l e i n f o. Article history: -Received: 8 / 8 / 2022 -Accepted: 7 / 9 / 2022 -Available online: 25 / 12 / 2022 Keywords: Hepatotoxicity, Costus, Liver, Propylthiouracil, Levothyroxine. Corresponding Author: Name: Mohamed Rashed Abd E-mail: mohammedrashedabdbaker@gmail.com Tel: ©2022 COLLEGE OF SCIENCE, TIKRIT UNIVERSITY. THIS IS AN OPEN ACCESS ARTICLE UNDER THE CC BY LICENSE http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ABSTRACT Propylthiouracil (PTU) is often used to produce experimental hypothyroidism. In general, PTU generates hepatotoxicity, albeit with dissimilar incidence rates of hepatotoxicity. This study examined the hepatoprotective effects of Saussurea lappa root ethanol extract on experimentally induced hepatotoxicity in female rats. For this study, 25 adult female albino rats were placed into five equal groups: control, PTU, post treated with S. lappa extract, co- administered PTU with S. lappa extract 300mg/kg, and post- treated with levothyroxine. Serum gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) activity, total protein, thyroid hormones (T3, T4, and TSH), and oxidative stress parameters (catalase, superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione, and lipid peroxidation levels) were measured. The liver tissue underwent histological examination. Current findings revealed that S.lappa ethanol root extract significantly improved hepatotoxicity as evidenced by reversal of various biochemical and histopathological changes in female rats. Current study has shown that this promising impact may be due to the antioxidant and free radical scavenging characteristics of S.lappa constituents. 1. Introduction Since the 1940s, PTU has been utilized, and throughout time, hepatic adverse effects have been recorded, until the food and drug administration published a black box warning on the prescription label in 2010. About one in a way associated with an elevated risk of hepatotoxicity, but not cholestasis or abrupt liver failure [1]. PTU is the third drug most significantly associated with liver transplantation, and approximately 25% of PTU-induced hepatotoxicity- related deaths have been documented [2]. Recent European guidelines and consensus by experts from Italian endocrine and gynecologic scientific societies recommend limiting the use of PTU to the first trimester of pregnancy [3,4] and as a second-line antithyroid drugs treatment, if methimazole caused toxic reactions, and as a short-term treatment, while awaiting radioiodine therapy or thyroid surgery [3]. Also, PTU should be avoided in children [3]. The largest and most economically important family of angiosperms is Asteraceae. This family has over 1,620 genera and 23,000 species [5]. Asteraceae family members have significant medicinal potential and are utilized by locals to cure a wide range of ailments [6]. The Saussurea lappa (Costus) an important medicinal plant belonging to the Asteraceae family [7,8]. It is a perennial herbaceous plant that has been used for centuries in various traditional medicinal practices all over the globe to cure conditions including diarrhea, tenesmus, dyspepsia, and vomiting [9,10]. Antioxidants found in abundance in S.lappa may fight against germs, fungus, worms, cancers, inflammation, ulcers, diabetes, and liver damage while boosting the immune system [11]. This study aims to evaluate whether the root of S.lappa protects the liver from PTU-induced hepatic damage. 2. Materials and Methods 2.1. Plant material and Preparation of Extract The S.lappa roots were supplied from a herb store in Kirkuk, Iraq, and then identified and certified by a