Evaluation of Antioxidant activities of Aqueous extract from Bryophyllum pinnatum on Carbon tetrachloride-induced albino rat tissues

Abstract

Oxidative injury or cellular damage arising from free radicals or reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many human diseases. These ROS are generated through normal metabolism of drugs, environmental chemicals and other xenobiotics as well as endogenous chemicals. Accumulated evidence suggests that ROS can be scavenged through chemoprevention utilizing natural antioxidant compounds present in foods and medicinal plants. The aim of this study is to evaluate antioxidant activities of aqueous extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum using carbon tetrachloride-induced albino rats as model. An in-vivo antioxidant activity was carried out on the CCl4 induced rats by administration of aqueous extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum at doses of 50, 100 and 200mg/Kg bw for 14 consecutive days, and one group was treated with Silymarin at a dose of 50 mg/Kg as a standard drug. The antioxidant activities were estimated by evaluating its effects on antioxidant parameters in the tissues of albino rats (Serum, Liver and Heart). The activity of catalase (CAT), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and the levels of MDA and GSH were evaluated in tissue homogenates. Results showed that the rats fed with the higher concentrations of Bryophyllum pinnatum had significant increase (p<0.05) in glutathione content (GSH), GPx, SOD and catalase activities relative to normal and standard control. However, the level of MDA was decreased (p<0.05) for the treated groups (100 and 200mg/kg). These results suggest that aqueous extracts of Bryophyllum pinnatum has active substances contributing to varied degrees of potent antioxidant activity and could serve as important source of antioxidants in food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries.
 Keywords: Oxidative injury, Bryophyllum pinnatum, antioxidant, Diseases, Tissues