Abstract

ANTIOXIDANT EFFECT OF NYCTANTHES ARBOR TRISTIS L. ON DGALACTOSAMINE INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN RATS

Dr. J. Jayachitra* and V. Rubavahini

ABSTRACT

To investigate the antioxidant activity of Nyctanthes arbor tristis. In albino wistar rats. Rats were divided into four groups, groups 1 received 0.9% saline; groups 2 received control and ethanolic extract of Nyctanthes arbor tristis (300mg/kg BW); groups 3 received Dgalactosamine (400mg/kg/BW) and group 4 received D-galactosamine and ethanolic extract of Nyctanthes arbor tristis for the total experimental period of 12 hrs. The results showed significantly elevated levels of serum AST (Aspartate aminotransferase), ALT (Alanine aminotransferase) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), significantly lowered enzymic antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and Glutathione peroxidase (Gpx) in D-galactosamine treated rats as compared to those of the experimental control rats. Ethanolic extract of Nyctanthes arbor tristis was administered at a dose of 300 mg/kg of body weight/day for the last 12hrs of the experiment to rats with D-galactosamine induced liver injury, which significantly decreased AST and ALT activities in serum, and also the hepatic level of TBARS, significantly elevated the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in liver at the end of the experimental period as compared to those of untreated D Galactosamine - administered rats. Thus, our data indicate that treatment with H. indicus extract offers protection against free radical-mediated oxidative stress in serum and liver of animals with D-galactosamine - induced liver injury.

Keywords: Nyctanthes arbor tristis (L); antioxidant activity; D-galactosamine.