Exploration of Hepatoprotective Potential and Phytochemicals of Ziziphus oxyphylla Edgew

Ziziphus oxyphylla Edgew (ZO) has been traditionally used for the treatment of hepatic diseases in Pakistan. The current study was carried out to investigate the effectiveness and mechanism underlying hepatoprotective effect of ZO. Hepatoprotective potential of root extracts (crude methanolic extract and subsequent fractions) was investigated against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatotoxicity in BALB/c mice via determination of serum biomarkers, antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase), lipid peroxidation and histopathology. Membrane stabilizing activity was determined via inhibition of hypotonic solution and heat-induced hemolysis. Crude methanolic extract and chloroform fraction ameliorated CCl4 induced elevated levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total proteins (TP), total bilirubin (TB) and reversed the antioxidants imbalance in terms of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) level. Crude methanol extract inhibited hemolysis induced by hypotonic solution and heat. Histopathological examination of liver specimens of extracts administered mice exhibited recovery from CCl4 induced pathological changes. Moreover, CCl4 induced alteration in body and liver weight was countered by the administration of ZO. Compounds betulinic acid (AZO1), ceanothic acid (AZO2) and zizybrenalic acid (AZO3) were isolated from chloroform fraction of the plant. The structures of compounds were deduced using 1D-and 2D-NMR spectroscopy techniques. The results show that Ziziphus oxyphylla roots extract possess antihepatotoxic activity mediated by the protection of anti-oxidant defense system and membrane-stabilizing activity, probably due to the presence of pentacyclic triterpenes

Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Studies on Methanolic Extract of Caryopses of Echinochloa frumentacea Link

Background: The present study was aimed to evaluate the methanolic extract of caryopses of Echinochloa frumentacea (EFME) for its in-vitro antioxidant activity and in-vivo hepatoprotective activity against paracetamol and antihepatotoxic activity against D-Galactosamine induced hepatic damage in rats. Materials and Methods: The flavonoid and phenolic contents, of EFME were estimated and the antioxidant studies were conducted for the extract, EFME using various methods such as DPPH, superoxide, nitric oxide, hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide scavenging activities and reducing power assay. Liver damage was induced by administering paracetamol (3g/Kg) and the hepatoprotective activity of the extract was assessed on the basis of improvement in the altered level of various serum biochemical parameters and in the changes occurred in the histology of liver of the rats taking Silymarin (100mg/kg) as the standard. Among the three test doses of EFME, 100 mg/kg was found to be the effective. Hence, EFME 100 mg/kg was selected to assess its antihepatotoxic activity against D-Galactosamine (400 mg/kg) induced hepatic damage in rats. Results: The flavonoid and phenolic contents of the extract, EFME were found to be 7.56±1.29mg and 138.53±2.11mg of rutin and gallic acid equivalents per gram of extract respectively. The extract exhibited antioxidant activity and significant (p less than 0.01) hepatoprotective activity. Conclusion: The study revealed that the extract EFME at 100 mg/kg has shown significant hepatoprotective and antihepatotoxic activity against paracetamol and D-Galactosamine induced hepatic damage in rats respectively.