title: Antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of Solanum xanthocarpum leaf extracts against CCl4-induced liver injury in rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Solanum xanthocarpum Schard. and Wendl. (Solanaceae) has been used in traditional Indian medicines for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiasthmatic properties.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study demonstrates the antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of S. xanthocarpum. On the basis of in vitro antioxidant properties, the active fraction from column chromatography of the methanol extract of S. xanthocarpum leaves (SXAF) was chosen as the potent fraction and used for hepatoprotective studies in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  The antioxidant activity was evaluated by 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and reducing power assays. Rats were pre-treated with 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w. of SXAF for 14 d with a single dose of CCl4 in the last day. Hepatoprotective properties were determined by serum biochemical enzymes, aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GSH, and GST), and histopathology studies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  SXAF exhibited significant antioxidant activity in scavenging free radicals with IC50 values of 11.72 µg (DPPH) and 17.99 µg (ABTS). Rats pre-treated with SXAF demonstrated significantly reduced levels of serum LDH (1.7-fold), ALP (1.6-fold), and AST (1.8-fold). Similarly, multiple dose SXAF administration at 200 mg/kg b.w. demonstrated significantly enhanced levels of SOD (1.78 ± 0.13), CAT (34.63 ± 1.98), GST (231.64 ± 14.28), and GSH (8.23 ± 0.48) in liver homogenates. Histopathological examination showed lowered liver damage in SXAF-treated groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results demonstrate that SXAF possesses potent antioxidant properties as well as hepatoprotective effects against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Studies in Biotechnology, University of Mysore , Manasagangotri, Mysore, Karnataka , India.
authors.forename: Behrouz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jalali Ghassam
authors.forename: Hadi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ghaffari
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Prakash
authors.forename: Kukkundoor Ramachandra
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Kini
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride / Q000633:toxicity*; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018515:Plant Leaves; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D032322:Solanum; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride
keywords: DPPH; free radicals; histopathology; lipid peroxidation; oxidative stress; phenolic compounds; superoxide dismutase