ABSTRACT
Background: Free radicals generated as by-products of metabolism can cause damage to lipids, proteins and DNA. They are scavenged by endogenous antioxidant mechanisms. But when these mechanisms are overwhelmed, free radicals can cause toxicity. There is a need to identify new antioxidant compounds. Hence the current study was undertaken to assess the antioxidant activity of ethanolic extract of Calotropis procera roots in Wistar rats.Methods: Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups. Group 1 (control) were administered vehicle. Group 2 received DMBA (30mg/kg BW, single dose) intraperitoneally on day 5. Group 3 was pre-treated with Calotropis procera root extract (500mg/kg BW) orally for 5 days. On day 5, they were given DMBA injection 2 hrs after the extract. Group 4 rats received only root extract for 5 days. All rats were sacrificed on day 6 and samples were analysed for TBARS, conjugated dienes and antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GPx) levels.Results: The levels of TBARS, conjugated dienes were significantly increased, and antioxidant enzymes were decreased in group 2 both in plasma and erythrocytes. Pretreatment with C. procera root extract (group 3) has normalized the TBARS and conjugated dienes levels in plasma but in erythrocytes, TBARS levels are elevated. GPx activity was significantly decreased in both plasma and erythrocytes and SOD activity was decreased in erythrocytes. CAT activity was comparable to control group. Group 4 rats showed TBARS, conjugated dienes and antioxidant enzymes levels comparable to control.Conclusions: The present study establishes that Calotropis procera root extract has antioxidant activity in wistar rats.
ABSTRACT
Background: Genotoxicity screening of drugs is essential. It is mandatory for new drugs. However, screening of drugs already in use is also necessary. Several cephalosporins are reported to induce chromosomal aberrations in previous studies. But there is paucity of data regarding the genotoxic potential of ceftriaxone. Hence the present study was undertaken to evaluate the genotoxic potential of ceftriaxone, a third generation cephalosporin, by micronucleus assay in albino mice.Methods: In vivo micronucleus test was performed with mice bone marrow after intraperitoneal injection of ceftriaxone at 100mg/kg BW and 200mg/kg BW at 24 hr and 48 hr harvest time. Mice bone marrow was harvested, and slides were prepared. The percentage of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (% MnPCE) and the ratio of polychromatic erythrocytes to normochromatic erythrocytes (PCE:NCE) were determined. The data from ceftriaxone treated groups was compared with control group and analyzed using ANOVA followed by Dunnett's test.Results: Ceftriaxone at the dose of 100mg/kg BW and 200mg/kg BW did not exhibit any significant increase in the percentage of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes. It also did not decrease the ratio of polychromatic erythrocytes to normochromatic erythrocytes significantly.Conclusions: The present study demonstrates that ceftriaxone is not genotoxic in in vivo micronucleus study in albino mice at a dose of 100mg/kg BW and 200mg/kg BW.