In vivo Hepatoprotective and in vitro Radical Scavenging Activities of Extracts of Rumex abyssinicus Jacq. Rhizome.

BACKGROUND: Liver diseases contribute a prominent global burden of mortality and morbidity. The current therapies of liver diseases have numerous limitations including severe adverse effects. This denotes that new more effective, safer, and cheaper drugs are required and medicinal plants used in traditional medicines often offer ideal opportunities. Accordingly, the present study aimed to evaluate the in vivo hepatoprotective and in vitro radical scavenging activities of dried rhizome extracts of Rumex abyssinicus (R. abyssinicus), which is traditionally claimed to provide hepatoprotection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hepatoprotective activity of extracts was evaluated using carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver injury in mice. Pre- and post-treatment models were employed to test the effect of the extracts and silymarin (standard drug). Serum biochemical markers and liver histopathology were used as parameters to evaluate hepatoprotective activities whereas in vitro radical scavenging activity was tested by 2, 2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl hydrate (DPPH) assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Oral administration of CCl4 (1 ml/kg) significantly (P<0.001) raised the serum levels of liver enzyme markers compared to the normal control group. Pre-treatment with 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg of R. abyssinicus extract reduced the serum level of CCl4-induced rise in liver enzyme markers with the highest reduction observed at a dose of 500 mg/kg. Likewise, in the post-treatment model, the crude extract and butanol fraction at dose 500 mg/kg reduced levels of liver enzymes. Histopathological examinations revealed lesser liver damage of extract-treated mice compared to the toxic (CCl4-treated) controls. The in vitro radical scavenging activity of the different extracts showed concentration-dependent radical scavenging activity. Thus, the results of this study may justify the traditional use of the plant as a hepatoprotective agent. CONCLUSION: Results of serum biochemical markers and histopathological examinations of CCl4-induced mice models, in the present study, show the hepatoprotective potential of extracts from the rhizome of R. abyssinicus.

In vivo hepatoprotective and In vitro radical scavenging activities of Cucumis ficifolius A. rich root extract.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Cucumis ficifolius A. Rich is a perennial prostrate herb that stems up to 1 m long. Its root is widely used in traditional medicine to treat various diseases including liver diseases. Yet, scientific evidence is lacking to verify its ethno medicinal claims. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study was conducted to assess the hepatoprotective and radical scavenging activity of 80% methanol crude extract and different fractions of Cucumis ficifolius root. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Radical scavenging activity was done applying the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay while hepatoprotective activity was assessed using pre- and post-treatment models of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver injury in Swiss albino mice of either sex weighing 25-30 g. A single oral dose of 2000 mg/kg was used for acute toxicity study, doses of 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg were used in the pre-treatment model, and 500 mg/kg of extract and chloroform fraction were used in the post-treatment model. Biochemical markers and histopathological parameters were used to measure hepatoprotective activities. RESULTS: C. ficifolius crude extract and its solvent fractions showed strong radical scavenging activity and the chloroform fraction had the highest activity. No sign of toxicity was shown in an acute toxicity test of the extract. Hepatoprotective activity evaluation on the crude extract by a pre-treatment model with 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg doses revealed a significant (p < 0.05) reduction of the serum level of CCl4-induced liver enzyme markers at the highest tested dose (500 mg/kg). The chloroform fraction that had highest radical scavenging activity and the crude extract, both at 500 mg/kg, were again evaluated in a post-treatment model and the results revealed that both the extract and the chloroform fraction demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) hepatoprotective activities which support the results of the pre-treatment model. CONCLUSION: The present study verified the hepatoprotective potentials of C. ficifolius extract and its chloroform fraction which might be, at least in part, through radical scavenging action.