Preventive and curative effect of Woodfordia fruticosa Kurz flowers on thioacetamide induced oxidative stress in rats

Abstract

ObjectiveTo evaluate the preventive and curative effect of Woodfordia fruticosa (W. fruticosa) Kurz flowers on thioacetamide induced oxidative stress in rats. MethodsTwo different doses of methanolic extract of W. fruticosa (MEWF 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) were used to study the antioxidant activity in experimental rats against thioacetamide (TAA) induced oxidative stress in preventive and curative models. Single dose of TAA (100 mg/kg; s.c.) was administered to the rats in all groups except the normal control. Various serum enzymes like aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were studied. The antioxidant status of liver and kidney were evaluated by the following parameters like catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Histopathological changes of liver tissue were also evaluated. ResultsMEWF significantly (P<0.05) prevented and reversed the elevation of serum AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, and tissue malondialdehyde levels in both the experimental models. Hepatic and renal GSH, GST, GR, GPx, and catalase levels were remarkably increased by the treatment with the extract in both the experimental models. In the case of MDA the hepatic and renal levels were decreased by the treatment with the extract. ConclusionThis study demonstrates the protective and curative effects of MEWF, and thus scientifically supports the use of this plant in traditional medicine for the treatment of liver disorders.