In vitro antioxidant and hepatoprotective potential of chenopodium album extract

Abstract

Introduction: Chenopodium album (Bathua), a native Indian herb, has been used for treatment of abdominal pain, eye disease, throat troubles and cardiovascular disorders. The present study was carried out to explore antioxidant and hepatoprotective efficacy of C. album extract against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Materials and Methods: The ethanolic extract of C. album seeds was evaluated for in vitro antioxidant activity using three established models (diphenyl picryl hydrazyl radical scavenging method, 2, 2’‑azino‑bis (3‑ethylbenzothiazoline‑6‑sulphonic acid) radical cation decolorization assay and nitric oxide radical scavenging method) and hepatoprotective activity was also assessed against CCl4 induced hepatic damage in rats at the doses of 300 mg/kg and 450 mg/kg. Results: C. album extract was found to exhibit excellent antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity, when compared with ascorbic acid during in vitro studies. C. album extract at a dose of 450 mg/kg showed inhibition of elevation of the biochemical parameters comparable with silymarin (100 mg/kg) and hence shown remarkable protection in hepatic injury induced by free radicals generated due to administration of CCl4 as toxicant. The observations were also supplemented with histopathological examination of rat liver sections. Conclusion: This study establish scientific evidences to folklore use of C. album in treatment of hepatic disorders and also suggests that free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities of phytoconstituents may be the possible mechanisms of its hepatoprotective potential. Key words: 2,2' - azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid), carbon tetrachloride, diphenyl picryl hydrazyl, free radical scavenging, nitric oxide, silymarin