Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA), obtained from Carthamus tinctorius L., is often used to treat cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases. a study investigated the impact of HSYA on alcohol-induced liver injury and the underlying mechanism. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were utilized for the study and the following observations were made-

• Reduction in serum biochemical indicators like alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), hyaluronan (HA), laminin (LN), and type III precollagen (III-C) was observed with HSYA treatment in rats. 
• The alcohol-induced decline in the activity and messenger RNA (mRNA) of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) was efficiently increased by HSYA, in rat liver tissue than the model group.
• The alcohol-induced increase in the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) was efficiently decreased by HSYA, in rat liver tissue than the model group.
• Histological studies showed HSYA to reduce the number of macro- and micro-vesicular steatosis, suppression of hepatic fibrogenesis and reduce ballooning degeneration areas, the severity of liver damage induced by long-term drinking, and improvement in the liver architecture. 
• Immunohistochemistry study showed HSYA blocked the alcohol stimulated activation of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) in rat liver tissue. 

Thus it was proved that HSYA can effectively protect the liver of rats from long-term alcohol injury by enhancing the antioxidant capacity of liver tissues and inhibiting TGF-β1 expression.

Source- He Y, Liu Q, Li Y. et al. Protective effects of hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) on alcohol-induced liver injury in rats. J Physiol Biochem, 2015;71: 69–78. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13105-015-0382-3