Enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant activity of the saponin rich butanol extract of Tribulus terrestris fruits against tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin induced oxidative stress in male Wistar rats

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), a xenobiotic compound causes reproductive and developmental problems in living beings by elevating the oxidative stress. This research work aims to evaluate the curative potency of the saponins rich butanol fraction of Tribulus terrestris (SFTT) fruits on the altered in vivo antioxidant status of testis and RBC due to TCDD induced oxidative stress in male rats. Materials and Methods: TCDD induced male rats were treated with SFTT extract of 200mg and 400mg/kg b.w. p.o. for 28 days. Clomiphene 10mg/kg p.o. was used as a standard drug. At the end of experimental period, the testicular tissue and blood were collected for analyzing the levels of enzymatic antioxidants like Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Glutathione reductase (GR), Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), Glutathione S- Trasferase (GST) and non-enzymatic antioxidants like Glutathione, Vitamin C and Vitamin E. Results: As a result, the enzymatic antioxidants like SOD, CAT, GR, GPx, GST and non-enzymatic antioxidants like Glutathione, Vitamin C and Vitamin E levels of the SFTT treated groups showed a significant increase (P <0 .001) when compared to the levels of both testis and RBC’s of TCDD treated rats. In addition, the rats, which received SFTT at the concentration of 400mg/kg b.w. p.o exhibited higher antioxidant activity when compared to the rats, received SFTT at the concentration of 200mg/kg b.w. p.o. Conclusion: The phytomolecules present in the SFTT has the ability to combat the oxidative damage that occurs during TCDD toxicity through elevating the antioxidant status. Keywords: Dioxins; glutathione peroxidase; superoxide dismutase; vitamin C.