Nada Mahdi Al-Khafaji1 
,
Liqaa Oday Ali1,
Duaa Oday Al-Quraishi2
For correspondence:- Nada Al-Khafaji Email: dent.nada.mahdi@uobabylon.edu.iq
Received: 27 May 2026 Accepted: 19 September 2026 Published: 30 September 2026
Citation: Al-Khafaji NM, Ali LO, Al-Quraishi DO. Immunoreactivity of desmin antibody against perisinusoidal cell activation using Citrus limon aqueous extract. Trop J Pharm Res 2026; 25(9):1203-1207 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v25i9.2
© 2026 The authors.
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Purpose: To examine the effect of Citrus limon aqueous extracts (CLE) on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced steatosis using desmin immunoreactivity (perisinusoidal cell activation) and cholesterol levels. Methods: A total of 30 male Swiss albino mice were randomly assigned to 3 groups (n = 10). Group 1 was the control, group 2 received HFD (1 %w/w cholesterol), and group 3 received HFD in combination with CLE (2.0 mL/kg body weight, 1:5 m/v lemon juice daily by gavage) for 16 weeks. Hepatic steatosis was assessed by H & E staining and quantified by ImageJ. Assessment of perisinusoidal cell activation was done by anti-desmin immunohistochemistry (Clone D33, Dako), while density of positive cells was quantified by ImageJ. Results: Administration of HFD resulted in significantly more desmin-immunopositive cells compared to control (p < 0.05). However, treatment with CLE reduced desmin-positive cells, comparable to control (p > 0.05). Serum total cholesterol was significantly higher in group 2 compared to group 1 (p < 0.05). Treatment with CLE reduced serum total cholesterol to levels comparable to control (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Treatment with CLE reduces desmin-immunopositive cells and serum total cholesterol, demonstrating its potential hepatoprotective and lipid-lowering effects
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