Curative effect of Amorphophallus campanulatus (Roxb.) Blume. tuber methanolic extract against thioacetamide induced oxidative stress in experimental rats

Abstract

ObjectiveTo evaluate the curative effect of the methanolic extract of Amorphophallus campanulatus (A. campanulatus) tuber (ACME) against thioacetamide induced oxidative stress in rats. MethodsThe curative potential of two different doses of ACME (125 and 250 mg/kg; p.o.) was evaluated against thioacetamide (TAA) induced oxidative stress in male Wistar rats. Single dose of TAA (100 mg/kg; s.c.) was administered to the rats in all groups except the normal control. In treatment groups, rats were administered with silymarin-the standard drug (100 mg/kg; p.o.) and ACME 2, 24 and 48 h after TAA intoxication. Hepatotoxicity was assessed by quantifying the serum levels of AST, ALT, ALP and LDH. The antioxidant potential of ACME were also evaluated by the estimation of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), reduced glutathione (GSH) and lipid peroxidation (Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances-TBARS) in hepatic and renal tissues. In addition, the liver sections were also evaluated for its histopathologic changes. ResultsACME significantly (P<0.05) reversed the elevation of serum AST, ALT, ALP, LDH and tissue malondialdehyde levels. Hepatic and renal GSH, GST, GR, GPx and catalase levels were remarkably increased by the treatment with the extract. Quantification of histopathological changes also supported the dose dependent curative effects of ACME. ConclusionThis study demonstrates the antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of ACME and thus scientifically supports the use of this tuber in traditional medicine for the treatment of liver disorders.