Sumaira Sahreen

Assessment of flavonoids contents and in vitro antioxidant activity of Launaea procumbens

BackgroundLaunaea procumbens (LP) has been used as a food supplement in Pakistan. In this study methanolic crude extract (LPME) of the whole plant and its different fractions; n-hexane (LPHE); ethyl acetate (LPEE) and chloroform (LPCE) were studied for the determination of total flavonoid and phenolics contents along with multifaceted in vitro scavenging assays.ResultsConsiderable amount of flavonoid and phenolics contents were found in all the fractions. Methanol and chloroform fraction exhibited efficient scavenging of DPPH·, ABTS·+, ·OH, superoxide, lipid peroxide and nitric oxide free radicals. Significant correlation was found between DPPH·, ABTS·+, superoxide radical, β-carotene bleaching restraint and phosphomolybdenum assay with total flavonoids and phenolics contents. High performance chromatography (HPLC) of LPME revealed the presence of vitexin, orientin, rutin, hyperoside, catechin and myricetin.ConclusionThese results reveal the presence of bioactive compounds in LPME, which might be contributed towards the various in vitro scavenging.

Protective effects of rutin against potassium bromate induced nephrotoxicity in rats

BackgroundRutin, a polyphenolic flavonoid, was investigated for its protective effects against the KBrO3 induced renal injuries in rat.MethodsGroup I was control (untreated), group II was given saline 0.5 ml/kg bw (0.9% NaCl), group III was administered KBrO3 (20 mg/kg bw) intragastric twice a week for four weeks. Rutin was administered to group VI (50 mg/kg bw) and Group V (70 mg/kg bw) along with KBrO3 (20 mg/kg bw) while group VI was given rutin (70 mg/kg bw) alone twice a week for four weeks. Protective effects of rutin on KBrO3-induced nephrotoxicity in rats were determined for biochemical parameter of urine, and serum, various antioxidant enzymes, DNA and histopathological damages in kidneys.ResultsThe level of urinary red blood cells, leucocytes count, specific gravity, urea, creatinine and urobilinogen was increased (P<0.01) whereas creatinine clearance was reduced. Serum level of protein, albumin, globulin, nitrite, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) was significantly increased (P<0.01) by KBrO3. Marked histopathological lesions, elevated DNA fragmentation and AgNORs count in renal tissues was determined. Activity of antioxidant enzymes; catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione reductase, and reduced glutathione contents were decreased (P<0.01) while thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were increased (P<0.01) with KBrO3 treatment in kidneys. DNA ladder assay was intimately related with the DNA fragmentation assay. Telomerase activity was found positive in the KBrO3 treated kidneys. Treatment with rutin effectively ameliorated the alterations in the studied parameters of rat. Rutin administration alone to rats did not exhibit any significant change in any of the parameters studied.ConclusionThese results suggest that rutin works as an antioxidant in vivo by scavenging reactive oxygen species and this serves to prevent oxidative renal damage in rat treated with KBrO3.

CCl4 induced genotoxicity and DNA oxidative damages in rats: hepatoprotective effect of Sonchus arvensis

BackgroundSonchus arvesis is traditionally reported in various human ailments including hepatotoxicity in Pakistan. Presently we designed to assess the protective effects of methanolic extract of Sonchus arvesis against carbon tetrachloride induced genotoxicity and DNA oxidative damages in hepatic tissues of experimental rats.Methods36 male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into 6 groups to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of Sonchus arvensis against CCl4 induced genotoxicity, DNA damages and antioxidant depletion. Rats of normal control group were given free access of food and water add labitum. Group II rats received 3xa0ml/kg of CCl4 (30% in olive oil v/v) via the intraperitoneal route twice a week for four weeks. Group III and IV received 1xa0ml of 100xa0mg/kg b.w. and 200xa0mg/kg b.w. SME via gavage after 48xa0h of CCl4 treatment whereas group V was given 1xa0ml of silymarin (100xa0mg/kg b.w.) after 48xa0h of CCl4 treatment. Group VI only received 200xa0mg/kg b.w. SME. Protective effects of SME were checked by measuring serum markers, activities of antioxidant enzymes, genotoxicity and DNA dmages.ResultsResults of the present study showed that treatment of SME reversed the activities of serum marker enzymes and cholesterol profile as depleted with CCl4 treatment. Activities of endogenous antioxidant enzymes of liver tissue homogenate; catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSHpx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and glutathione reductase (GSR) were reduced with administration of CCl4, which were returned to the control level with SME treatment. CCl4-induced hepatic cirrhosis decreased hepatic glutathione (GSH) and increased lipid peroxidative products (TBARS), were normalized by treatment with SME. Moreover, administration of CCl4 caused genotoxicity and DNA fragmentation which were significantly restored towards the normal level with SME.ConclusionThese results reveal that treatment of SME may be useful in the prevention of hepatic stress.

Attenuation of CCl4-induced hepatic oxidative stress in rat by Launaea procumbens

Antioxidant effects of Launaea procumbens methanol extract (LPME) were evaluated against CCl(4)-induced oxidative stress in liver of rat. 48 male rats were equally divided in to 8 groups (06 rats each). Group I (control) remained untreated, while Group II was given vehicles (olive oil and DMSO). Animals of Groups III, IV, V, VI and VII were injected intraperitoneally with CCl(4) (3 ml/kg b.w.; i.p., 20% CCl(4)/olive oil) twice a week for four weeks. Group III received only CCl(4) while Group IV was given rutin (50 mg/kg b.w.). Group V, VI and VII were administered LPME at a dose of 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg b.w., respectively. Animals of Group VIII received LPME (200 mg/kg b.w.) alone. Oxidative stress induced with CCl(4) in liver was evident by a significant increase in triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and enzymatic activities of AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, γ-GT activities in serum. Level of lipid peroxidation, nitrite, and hydrogen peroxide concentration, DNA injuries in liver samples was also increased with CCl(4). GSH concentration in liver was significantly decreased, as were the activities of antioxidant enzymes; CAT, POD, SOD, GSH-Px, GST, GSR, QR. Co-treatment of rats with LPME and rutin prevented all the changes observed with CCl(4). Hepatic lesions and telomerase activity induced with CCl(4) was also suppressed with LPME and rutin. It is suggested that LPME effectively prevented the CCl(4)-induced oxidative injuries in liver, possibly through antioxidant and/or free radical scavenging effects of flavonoids and phenolic compounds in the extract.

Cardioprotective role of leaves extracts of Carissa opaca against CCl4 induced toxicity in rats.

BackgroundCarissa opaca are used traditionally in Pakistan for the treatment of various human ailments. Therefore, the study is arranged out to assess the cardio protective potential of different fractions of Carissa opaca leaves on CCl4-induced oxidative trauma in kidney.MethodsThe parameters studied in this respect were the cardiac function test (CK (U/l), CKMB (U/l), genotoxicity (% DNA fragmentation), characteristic morphological findings and antioxidant enzymatic level of cardiac tissue homogenate.ResultThe protective effects of various fractions of Carissa opaca (C. opaca) leaves extract against CCl4 administration was reviewed by rat cardiac functions alterations. Chronic toxicity caused by eight week treatment of CCl4 to the rats significantly changed the cardiac function test, decreased the activities of antioxidant enzymes and glutathione contents whereas significant increase was found in lipid peroxidation comparative to control group. Administration of various fractions of C. opaca leaves extract with CCl4 showed protective ability against CCl4 intoxication by restoring the cardiac functions alterations, activities of antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation in rat. CCl4 induction in rats also caused DNA fragmentation and histopathalogical abnormalities which were restored by co-admistration of various fraction of C. opaca leaves extract.ConclusionResults revealed that various fraction of C. opaca are helpful in cardiac dysfunctions.

Effects of Carissa opaca fruits extracts on oxidative pulmonary damages and fibrosis in rats

BackgroundCarissa opaca is a Pakistani fruit, traditionally used in the treatment of various human ailments including asthma and pulmonary damage. The present study investigated the protective effects of Carissa opaca against CCl4-induced oxidative stress in rat lungs.MethodsTo assess the protective effects of Carissa opaca, 42 Sprague–Dawley male rats (170–180xa0g) were randomly divided into 7 groups. Group I was untreated and group II received olive oil intraperitoneally (i.p.) and dimethyl sulfoxide orally. Groups III, IV, V, VI and VII were administered CCl4, 3xa0ml/kg bodyweight (30% in olive oil i.p.). Group IV was administered 50xa0mg/kg bodyweight silymarin whereas groups V, VI and VII were treated with 200xa0mg/kg of various fractions of Carissa opaca after 48xa0h of CCl4 treatment for eight weeks. Antioxidant profiles in lungs were evaluated by estimating the activities of antioxidant enzymes: catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, quinone reductase and reduced glutathione. CCl4-induced lipid peroxidation was determined by measuring the level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) with conjugation of DNA damage and histopathology.ResultsAdministration of CCl4 for 8xa0weeks significantly reduced (pu2009<u20090.05) the activities of antioxidant enzymes and GSH concentration while increasing TBARS content and DNA damage. Co-treatment of various fractions of Carissa opaca and silymarin restored the activities of antioxidant enzymes and glutathione content. Changes in TBARS concentration and DNA fragmentation was significantly decreased (pu2009<u20090.05) following Carissa opaca and silymarin treatment in lung.ConclusionsHistopathological changes in rat lungs induced by CCl4 were significantly restored by co-treatment with Carissa opaca and silymarin.

Inhibition of human breast and colorectal cancer cells by Viburnum foetens L. extracts in vitro.

Objective nTo investigate efficacy of Viburnum foetens (V. foetens) extracts against different cancer lines.

Protective effects of Carissa opaca fruits against CCl4-induced oxidative kidney lipid peroxidation and trauma in rat

Background Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is a potent nephrotoxin, as it causes acute as well as chronic toxicity in kidneys. Therefore, this study was carried out to assess the pharmacological potential of different fractions of Carissa opaca fruits on CCl4-induced oxidative trauma in the kidney. Methods The parameters studied in this respect were the kidney function tests viz, serum profile, urine profile, genotoxicity, characteristic morphological findings, and antioxidant enzymatic level of kidneys. Result The protective effects of various fractions of C. opaca fruits against CCl4 administration were reviewed by rat renal function alterations. Chronic toxicity caused by 8-week treatment of CCl4 to the rats significantly decreased the pH level, activities of antioxidant enzymes, and glutathione contents, whereas a significant increase was found in the case of specific gravity, red blood cells, white blood cells, level of urea, and lipid peroxidation in comparison to control group. Administration of various fractions of C. opaca fruit with CCl4 showed protective ability against CCl4 intoxication by restoring the urine profile, activities of antioxidant enzymes, and lipid peroxidation in rat. CCl4 induction in rats also caused DNA fragmentation and glomerular atrophy by means of dilation, disappearance of Bowmens space, congestion in the capillary loops, dilation in renal tubules, and foamy look of epithelial cells of tubular region, which were restored by co-admiration of various fractions of C. opaca. Conclusion Results revealed that the methanolic fractions of C. opaca are the most potent and helpful in kidney trauma.

Modulation of carbon tetrachloride-induced nephrotoxicity in rats by n-hexane extract of Sonchus asper.

Sonchus asper is traditionally used in the treatment of renal dysfunction. In the present study, protective effects of S. asper against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced nephrotoxicity of rats were determined. In this study, 24 male albino rats (190–200 g) were equally divided into four groups. Group I (control group) was given saline (1 ml/kg body weight (b.w.), 0.85% NaCl) and dimethyl sulfoxide (1 ml/kg b.w.); group II was treated with CCl4 (1 ml/kg b.w. intraperitoneally); groups III and IV were administered with CCl4 and after 48 h with S. asper n-hexane extract (SHE; 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w.). All the treatments were given twice a week for 4 weeks. The results revealed that CCl4-induced oxidative stress as evidenced by the significant depletion of antioxidant enzymes, namely, superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione contents, while increased lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances contents). Administration of SHE significantly ameliorated (p < 0.01) the activity of antioxidant enzymes and reduced lipid peroxides. Coadministration revealed that S. asper extract can protect the kidney against CCl4-mediated oxidative damage by restoring the activity of antioxidant enzyme, due to the presence of plant bioactive constituents.

Protective effects of Sonchus asper against KBrO3 induced lipid peroxidation in rats

BackgroundSonchus asper is traditionally used in Pakistan for the treatment of reproductive dysfunction and oxidative stress. The present investigation was aimed to evaluate chloroform extract of Sonchus asper (SACE) against potassium bromate-induced reproductive stress in male rats.Methods20u2009mg/kg body weight (b.w.) potassium bromate (KBrO3) was induced in 36 rats for four weeks and checked the protective efficacy of SACE at various hormonal imbalances, alteration of antioxidant enzymes, and DNA fragmentation levels. High performance chromatography (HPLC) was used for determination of bioactive constituents responsible.ResultsThe level of hormonal secretion was significantly altered by potassium bromate. DNA fragmentation%, activity of antioxidant enzymes; catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and phase II metabolizing enzymes viz; glutathione reductase (GSR), glutathione peroxidase (GSHpx), glutathione-S-tansase (GST) and reduced glutathione (GSH) was decreased while hydrogen per oxide contents and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were increased with KBrO3 treatment. Treatment with SACE effectively ameliorated the alterations in the biochemical markers; hormonal and molecular levels while HPLC characterization revealed the presence of catechin, kaempferol, rutin and quercetin.ConclusionProtective effects of Sonchus asper vs. KBrO3 induced lipid peroxidation might be due to bioactive compound present in SACE.