## 6 Pharmacological Properties of _Apium_ Plants
### Hepatoprotective Effect of Apium Plants  
In the Indian medical system, _A. graveolens_ seeds were used for the treatment of liver disorders. [PERSON] et al. investigated the antihepatotoxic effect of methanolic extracts of the seeds of the plant [157; 173]. Celery plant petroleum ether and methanol extracts of the seeds showed hepatoprotective activity in paracetamol and thioacetamide intoxated rats. The stimulation of hepatic regeneration resulted in their livers becoming more resistant to damage and toxins. As well, the protective effect of the methanolic extract was further confirmed by histopathological examination [16]. In another and more recent study, seeds of the plant were successively extracted to exhaustion with petroleum ether, acetone, and methanol using the cold percolation method. This methanolic extract showed maximum antihepatotoxic activity against CCL\({}_{4}\)-induced hepatotoxicity, which could be related to the methanol soluble particles such as flavone and diterpene. The activity was comparable to that of the standard drug silymarin [157].  
The plant can also be used against hepatotoxicity induced by other drugs, as well. For example, carboplatin is an antineoplastic agent with a potent effect, and thus it is being used in the treatment of ovarian cancer recurring following previous chemotherapy and in some other types of carcinogenic developments. However, the substance is reported to lead to renal and hepatic major organ toxicity and also result in peripheral neurotoxicity. Since the seeds of the celery plant are known to be used as hepatoprotective in Turkey, [PERSON] et al. tested the seeds for their hepatoprotective activity and demonstrated that the administration of carboplatin alone to rats for five consecutive days led to liver damage, however, when carboplatin was combined with the fixed oil obtained from the seeds of the plant, it was observed that liver toxicity could be partially prevented [193].  
Acetaminophen is another toxic substance that can manifest harmful effects on humans. In a study performed on a fish species, it was found that for the short-term treatment of efficient flavonoids (rutin, quercetin, and luteolin) rich celery extract could act in multiple ways to preserve the normal functioning of a fish species named _Pangasitus sutchi_. These mechanisms may involve chelating or scavenging the APAP-generated oxyradicals, protecting antioxidant enzymes, preserving hepatocyte structure, promoting antioxidant levels, maintaining normal carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and hepatic ions. Although this study was performed on fish, the authors suggested that flavonoid-rich celery should be included in the diet of humans in case of APAP toxicity [194].  
In addition to its direct effect on liver health, the plant can also be used in liver problems associated with other conditions. For example, in a study performed on the livers of rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis in which enzymatic antioxidants are decreased and production of ROS that appear to contribute to oxidative stress in the liver increased, methanolic extract of the whole plant reduced oxidative stress by causing a decrease in the superoxide anion and total peroxide and an increase in the activities of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase. It was suggested that _A. graveolens_ represents a potential beneficial agent for the reduction of liver destruction in arthritis [195].