Hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of Amaranthus spinosus against CCl4 induced toxicity.
OBJECTIVE
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 (0-1.0mg/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 microg/ml concentration against CCl(4) (1%) induced toxicity in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes and HepG2 cells.


RESULTS
ASE was found to contain 336+/-14.3mg/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 microg/ml), scavenges superoxide (IC(50) approximately 66-70 microg/ml), hydrogen peroxide (IC(50) approximately 120-125 microg/ml), hydroxyl radicals (IC(50) approximately 140-145 microg/ml) and nitric oxide (IC(50) approximately 135-140 microg/ml). ASE (6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 microg/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.
Zeashan
Hussain
H
Pharmacognosy and Ethnopharmacology Division, National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226001, India.
Amresh
G
G
Singh
Satyawan
S
Rao
Chandana Venkateswara
CV
D027721:Amaranthus / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002083:Butylated Hydroxyanisole / Q000378:metabolism; D002252:Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning / Q000188:drug therapy*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005707:Gallic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects; D023421:Models, Animal; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats
D000975:Antioxidants; D010636:Phenols; D010936:Plant Extracts; D020011:Protective Agents; D002083:Butylated Hydroxyanisole; D005707:Gallic Acid