title: Evaluation of antioxidant activity of Manihot esculenta Crantz in wistar rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study aimed to explore the antioxidant activity of ethanolic leaf extract of Manihot esculenta Crantz leaves (MEC) in wistar rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ethanolic extract of MEC leaves in the doses of 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 200 mg/kg were used in wistar rats of either sex. The oxidative stress was produced by overdose of acetaminophen and estimation of serum concentration of various enzymes such as malonaldehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), and catalase (CAT) were measured by standard biochemical methods. Silymarin (100 mg/kg) was used as a standard drug for assessment of antioxidant status.
  
  
  METHODS
  Results were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance followed by Student's unpaired t-test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  When compared with the standard antioxidant silymarin, MEC extract did not exhibit antioxidant activity in terms of MDA level reduction. However, it significantly increased serum levels of the antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GSH, and CAT) exerting a potent antioxidant effect in a graded manner.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The observed results suggest that MEC could be a potential source of antioxidants. However, further studies are required to explore this therapeutic property of plant.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, SMBT Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Center, Nashik, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Satish Eknath
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Bahekar
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sewagram, Wardha, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Ranjana Sushil
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Kale
keywords: Flavonoids; Manihot esculenta Crantz; lipid peroxidation; silymarin