RESUMO
OBJECTIVE@#To investigate hepatoprotective activity of ethanol extract of Melothria heterophylla Lour Cogn. (EEMH) against CCl(4)-induced hepatic damage in rats.@*METHODS@#β-sitosterol was isolated by column chromatography and characterized spectroscopically. Two different doses (200 and 400 mg/kg bw) of EEMH were administered orally in alternate days. The hepatoprotective activity was studied in liver by measuring biochemical parameters such as serum aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein and total bilirubin. Lipid peroxidation product and different antioxidant enzyme activities were assessed in liver homogenate.@*RESULTS@#EEMH reduced all biochemical parameters and lipid peroxidation, as well as it increased the antioxidant enzyme activities in comparison with silymarin. The protective effect of the extract on CCl(4) induced damage was confirmed by histopathological examination of the liver.@*CONCLUSIONS@#This result strongly supports the protective effect of EEMH against acute liver injury, and may be attributed to its antioxidative activity.
Assuntos
Animais , Masculino , Ratos , Alanina Transaminase , Sangue , Fosfatase Alcalina , Sangue , Antioxidantes , Química , Farmacologia , Aspartato Aminotransferases , Sangue , Tetracloreto de Carbono , Doença Hepática Induzida por Substâncias e Drogas , Sangue , Patologia , Cucurbitaceae , Química , Peroxidação de Lipídeos , Fígado , Metabolismo , Patologia , Estresse Oxidativo , Extratos Vegetais , Química , Farmacologia , Substâncias Protetoras , Química , Farmacologia , Ratos Wistar , Silimarina , Farmacologia , Sitosteroides , Química , FarmacologiaRESUMO
Enhydra fluctuans [Compositae], an edible semi aquatic herbaceous vegetable plant, widely used in traditional system of Indian medicine. Total flavonoids of E. fluctuans [TFEF] were screened for analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity. Analgesic activity was studied in acetic acid induced writhing response and by hot plate method in Swiss albino mice. Anti-inflammatory activity was estimated by carrageenan and histamine induced acute inflammation and Freund's complete adjuvant [FCA] induced chronic inflammation in rats. Two flavonoids, baicalein 7-O-glucoside and baicalein 7-O-diglucoside, were isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction. Oral administration of TFEF at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg provide 27.05 and 55.49% protection respectively in acetic acid induced writhing method. It also increased the pain threshold in mice evidenced by hot plate method. TFEF showed more potent anti-inflammatory activity. The results of this study may be attributed to high free radical scavenging and antioxidant potential of the flavonoids present in ethyl acetate fraction of Enhydra fluctuans