RESUMO
OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the curative effect of the 132 KD protein isolated from the seeds of Peganum harmala (P. harmala) L. against carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) induced oxidative stress in rats.@*METHODS@#Animals were post treated intraperitoneally with 132 KD isolated protein at doses of 4 and 8 mg/kg body weight and bovine serum albumin (BSA) (8 mg/kg body weight) as well as vitamin C (250 mg/kg body weight p.o.) for 7 d after they challenged with CCl(4) orally (1 mL/kg body weight) in olive oil (50%) for 2 d.@*RESULTS@#The purified protein from seeds of P. harmala plant showed in vitro antioxidant activity with DPPH assay. Administration of CCl(4) induced induction in serum aminotransferases (AST, ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lipid profile parameters and liver malondialdehyde (MDA) and decrease in serum total protein, liver superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. 132 KD protein treatment of rats post CCl4 intoxication successfully alleviated the toxic effects of CCl(4).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The isolated protein possessed strong antioxidant activity comparable to that of BSA (negative control) and vitamin C (positive control).