Hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of Amaranthus spinosus against CCl 4 induced toxicity

Abstract

Aim 50% ethanolic extract (ASE) of Amaranthus spinosus (whole plant) was evaluated for in vitro antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity. Methods The total phenolics and reducing capacity of ASE was determined using standard curve of gallic acid (0–1.0 mg/ml) and butylated hydroxy anisole. In vitro antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH, superoxide, hydroxyl radicals, hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide scavenging methods. The hepatoprotective activity of ASE was evaluated at 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 μg/ml concentration against CCl 4 (1%) induced toxicity in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes and HepG2 cells. Results ASE was found to contain 336 ± 14.3 mg/g total polyphenolics expressed as gallic acid equivalent while the reducing capacity was 2.26 times of BHA. ASE showed significant antioxidant activity in DPPH assay (IC 50 29 μg/ml), scavenges superoxide (IC 50 ∼ 66–70 μg/ml), hydrogen peroxide (IC 50 ∼120–125 μg/ml), hydroxyl radicals (IC 50 ∼140–145 μg/ml) and nitric oxide (IC 50 ∼ 135–140 μg/ml). ASE (6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 μg/ml) was able to normalise the levels of biochemical parameters in isolated rat hepatocytes intoxicated with CCl 4. A dose dependent increase in percentage viability was observed in CCl 4 intoxicated HepG2 cells. Conclusions ASE possesses significant hepatoprotective activity which might be due to antioxidant defence factors and phenolics might be the main constituents responsible for activity.