Antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities of methanolic extract of Fimbristylis miliacea (L.) Vahl

Abstract

BackgroundFimbristylis miliacea (Cyperaceae) is a grass like herb, widely used in traditional medicine. In our previous study, this plant demonstrated promising in vitro antioxidant activities. The present work evaluated antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities of methanolic extract of F. miliacea through in vivo studies. MethodsThe overall study was structured involving CCl4 toxicant mice model for antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects. Three different doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg.bw were administered to mice. HPLC-DAD was performed for chemical characterization of methanolic extract of F. miliacea. ResultsMethanolic extract of F. miliacea increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH) and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) level in liver, kidney and brain. Concentrations of liver marker enzymes including alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and bilirubin in serum were also reduced and restored to normal level after extract administration. Liver histopathology showed recovery of hepatocellular injury after administration of plant extract. In HPLC, ten polyphenolic compounds were detected including caffeic acid and kaempferol, both at high concentrations. ConclusionThe study indicated that F. miliacea has antioxidant and hepatoprotective potentials and contains potential bioactive compounds.