Production of phenolic compounds from spirulina maxima microalgae and its protective effects in vitro toward hepatotoxicity model

This study illustrates the process of enhancing phenolics synthesis in Spirulina maxima grown in Zarrouk's medium supplemented with sodium nitrate (NaNO3) and or phenylalanine (L-PA); attaining highest production obtained in medium containing 3.77 g.L-1 NaNO3 and 100 mgL-1 L-PA. HPLC profile showed the presence of phenolic acids and flavonoids predominantly with gallate; chlorogenate; cinnamate; pinostrobate and p-OH-benzoates. The protective action of Spirulina phenolic compounds (SPC) against CCl4-induced in vitro hepato-toxicity symptoms like microsomal lipid peroxidation and hydroxyl radical formation was studied. SPC exhibited antioxidant effects on DPPH radical scavenging with IC50 values ranging from 23.22 to 35.62 ?gmL-1 and inhibit CCl4 induced lipid peroxidation in hepato-microsoms model; in dose-depended manner. Their protective potential was comparable to that of standard phenolic antioxidants such as BHT; BHA and a -tocopherol (IC50 values ranged from 13.22 to 23.62? ?gmL-1)

The modulatory effect of cochlospermum tinctorium a rich aqueous root extract on liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats

The aqueous root extract of Cochlospermum tinctorium (CTR) was investigated for its phytochemical composition; acute oral toxicity and hepatoprotective effect on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver damage in rats. Phytochemical screening indicates the presence of alkaloids; tannins; cardiac glycosides; saponins; flavonoids; triterpenes; cyanogenic glycosides and volatile oils while steroids and anthraquinones were absent. Administration of 5000 mg/kg (body weight) of the extract orally did not produce any death in the rats within the observable period. The extract at 100 - 300 mg/kg (body weight) significantly and dose dependently reduced the levels of Alanine aminotransferase (ALT); Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzymes levels in the CCl4 -treated rats. The values of serum albumin; serum total protein and reduced glutathione in the extract treated groups of rats remained comparatively higher than its values in the CCl4 - treated group. The pretreatment of the rats with the extract produced a significant (P 0.05) reduction in blood clotting time. The histopathological findings were in support of the biochemical changes recorded during the study. These results suggest that aqueous root extract of CTR possess hepatoprotective effect against CCl4- induced liver damage in rats and the extract at 5000 mg/kg body weight appeared to be safe when administered orally