The effect of phytosterol protects rats against 4-nitrophenol-induced liver damage

•4-Nitrophenol is known to cause liver damage.•We investigated the effect of phytosterol on PNP-induced liver damage.•4-Nitrophenol increased ALT, AST, AKP, TBIL, Nrf2 and decreased CAT, SOD.•Phytosterol treatment protects rats against PNP-induced liver damage.

We investigated the effect of phytosterol (PS) in regard to liver damage induced by 4-nitrophenol (PNP). Twenty rats were randomly divided into four groups (Control, PS, PNP, and PNP + PS). The PS and PNP + PS groups were pretreated with PS for one week. The PNP and PNP + PS groups were injected subcutaneously with PNP for 28 days. The control group received a basal diet and was injected with vehicle alone. Treatment with PS prevented the elevation of the total bilirubin levels, as well as an increase in serum alkaline transaminase and aspartate transaminase, which are typically caused by PNP-induced liver damage. Histopathologically showed that liver damage was significantly mitigated by PS treatment. However, there was no significant change in antioxidant enzyme activities, and the Nrf2-antioxidant system was not activated after treatment with PS. These results suggest that PS could mitigate liver damage induced by PNP, but does not enhance antioxidant capacity.