Shumaila Jan

Assessment of Antioxidant Potential, Total Phenolics and Flavonoids of Different Solvent Fractions of Monotheca Buxifolia Fruit

Objectives This study was conducted to investigate the antioxidant potential of methanol extract and its derived fractions (hexane, ethyl acetate, butanol, and aqueous) of fruits of Monotheca buxifolia (Falc.) Dc., a locally used fruit in Pakistan. Methods Dried powder of the fruit of M. buxifolia was extracted with methanol and the resultant was fractionated with solvents having escalating polarity; n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and the residual soluble aqueous fraction. Total phenolic and total flavonoid contents were estimated for the methanol and various fractions. These fractions were also subjected to various in vitro assays to estimate the scavenging activity for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), superoxide, hydroxyl, hydrogen peroxide and reductive ability for ferric ions and phosphomolybdate assay. Results The n-butanol, aqueous and methanol fractions possessed high amount of phenolics and flavonoids compared with other fractions, and subsequently showed a pronounced scavenging activity on DPPH, ABTS, superoxide, hydroxyl and hydrogen peroxide radicals and had a potent reductive ability on ferric ion and phosphomolybdate assay. There was a found significant correlation between total phenolic and flavonoid contents and EC50 of DPPH, superoxide, hydrogen peroxide radical and phosphomolybdate assays, whereas a nonsignificant correlation was found with the hydroxyl radical and ABTS radical assay. Conclusion M. buxifolia fruit can be used as natural antioxidant source to prevent damage associated with free radicals.

Hepatoprotection with a chloroform extract of Launaea procumbens against CCl4-induced injuries in rats

BackgroundLaunaea procumbens (Asteraceae) is used as a folk medicine to treat hepatic disorders in Pakistan. The effect of a chloroform extract of Launaea procumbens (LPCE) was evaluated against carbon-tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver damage in rats.MethodsTo evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of LPCE, 36 male Sprague–Dawley rats were equally divided into six groups. Animals of group 1 (control) had free access to food and water. Group II received 3 ml/kg of CCl4 (30% in olive oil v/v) via the intraperitoneal route twice a week for 4 weeks. Group III received 1 ml of silymarin via gavage (100 mg/kg b.w.) after 48 h of CCl4 treatment whereas groups IV and V were given 1 ml of LPCE (100 and 200 mg/kg b.w., respectively) after 48 h of CCl4 treatment. Group VI received 1 ml of LPCE (200 mg/kg b.w.) twice a week for 4 weeks. The activities of the antioxidant enzymes catalase, peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GSR), glutathione (GSH) and lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS)) were measured in liver homogenates. DNA damage, argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) counts and histopathology were studied in liver samples. Serum was analyzed for various biochemical parameters. Phytochemical composition in LPCE was determined through high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).ResultsLPCE inhibited lipid peroxidation, and reduced the activities of aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase in serum induced by CCl4. GSH contents were increased as were the activities of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, SOD, GST, GSR, GSH-Px) when altered due to CCl4 hepatotoxicity. Similarly, absolute liver weight, relative liver weight and the number of hepatic lesions were reduced with co-administration of LPCE. Phyochemical analyses of LPCE indicated that it contained catechin, kaempferol, rutin, hyperoside and myricetin.ConclusionThese results indicated that Launaea procumbens efficiently protected against the hepatotoxicity induced by CCl4 in rats, possibly through the antioxidant effects of flavonoids present in LPCE.

Evaluation of diverse antioxidant activities of Galium aparine

Methanol extract and its n-hexane, ethyl acetate, butanol and aqueous fraction of Galium aparine L. (Rubiacea) were evaluated in vitro for their antioxidant capacity (DPPH, superoxide radical, phosphomolybdate assay); reducing power (ABTS, hydroxyl, hydrogen peroxide, to reduce Fe(3+) to Fe(2+) ions) and to estimate total flavonoid and phenolic contents. All the free radical generating assay models depicted differential positive scavenging activity but considerable magnitude for all the fractions. The results showed that aqueous fraction strongly scavenge the DPPH, ABTS, hydroxyl, hydrogen peroxide and superoxide radicals. A significantly high correlation coefficient existed between IC(50) values of DPPH and superoxide radical with total phenolic content and phosphomolybdate assay with total flavonoid contents, respectively. These results suggested that aqueous fraction can be a good source of antioxidant therapeutic in oxidative stress damages.

Phytotoxic characterization of various fractions of Launaea nudicaulis

Launaea nudicaulis is a local medicinal plant of District Bannu, KPK, Pakistan, used traditionally for various diseases and having the phytotoxic ability. In the present study, allelopathic activity of the various fractions of Launaea nudicaulis was studied against radish growth. Two concentrations of the extract: 100 and 1000 ppm were used. Methanolic and ethyl acetate fraction markedly showed inhibition of root and radical growth compared to other fraction. The fresh and dry weight of whole radical and shoot showed significant results. The allelopathic activity of various fractions of Launaea nudicaulis may be due to the presence of bioactive constituents.

Protective effect of Launaea procumbens against KBrO 3 induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Launaea procumbens is traditionally used in the treatment of renal dysfunction. In the present study, protective effects of L. procumbens against KBrO3-induced nephrotoxicity in rat were determined. In this study, 24 male albino rats (195 to 200 g) were equally divided into 4 groups. Group I was given saline (1 ml/kg b.w., 0.85% NaCl) and DMSO (1 ml/kg b.w.); Group II was treated with KBrO3 (30 mg/kg b.w., i.p.); Groups III and IV administered with KBrO3 and after 48 h with L. procumbens (100; 200 mg/kg b.w.). All the treatments were given twice a week for 6 weeks. The results revealed that KBrO3 induced oxidative stress as evidenced by the significant depletion (P < 0.01) of antioxidant enzymes (catalase CAT, superoxide dismutase, SOD, glutathione-S-transferase, GST, glutathione reductase; GSR, glutathione peroxidase GSH-px and quinone reductas, QR) and glutathione contents while enhanced markedly (P < 0.01) tissue nitrite, lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide level in kidney. Coadministration revealed that L. procumbens methanol extract significantly (P < 0.01) protect the liver against KBrO3 mediated oxidative damage by restoring activity of antioxidant enzyme and lipid peroxidation which might be due to the presence plant bioactive constituents.