title: Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Potential of Phenol-Rich Fraction ofJuniperus communisLinn. Leaves.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Juniperus communisLinn. is an important plant in India traditional system of medicine which is widely used by different tribes in many countries.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In the present study, the antioxidant, cytotoxic and hepatoprotective activities ofJuniperus communisleaves were investigated against various models.
  
  
  METHODS
  ethanolic extract (70% v/v) ofJ. communisleaves was successively extracted using hexane and ethyl acetate to prepare various fractions. Total phenol content was resolute by the Folin-Ciocalteau's process. The antioxidant properties of the different fractions/extract of leaves ofJ. communiswere examined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and Fe2+chelating ability. Cytotoxic activity was examined by cell viability assay on HepG2 cells. Hepatoprotective activity of ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) evaluated against PCM-Paracetamol-induced hepatic damage in Wistar albino rats.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total phenol content was found maximum 315.33 mg/GAE/g in EAF. Significant scavenging activity were found for EAF (IC50= 177 μg/ml) as compared to standard BHT (IC50= 138 μg/ml), while EAF showed good Fe2+chelating ability having an IC50value of 261 mg/ML compared to standard ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (7.7 mg/mL). It was found that EAF treated group shows remarkable decrease in serum Aspartate aminotransferase, serum Alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase level in treatment group as compared to the hepatotoxic group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EAF ofJ. communisleaves is found to be potent antioxidant and hepatoprotective without any cytotoxicity and it can also be included in nutraceuticals with notable benefits for mankind or animal health.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Phenol-rich fraction (PRF) and other fractions/extract ofJuniperus communisleaves were screened for antioxidant, cytotoxic, and hepatoprotective activity.Significant antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity without any cytotoxicity were found while treating with ethyl acetate fraction (EAF).Abbreviations used:HepG2: Liver hepatocellular carcinoma, BHT: Butylated hydroxytoluene, PCM: Paracetamol, IC50: Half maximal inhibitory concentration, RSA: Radical Scavenging Activity, WST: Water-soluble tetrazolium.
authors.affiliation: Goel Institute of Pharmacy and Sciences, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Akash
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ved
authors.affiliation: Goel Institute of Pharmacy and Sciences, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Amresh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.affiliation: National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Ajay Kumar Singh
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Rawat
keywords: Acetaminophen; Antioxidant; Cytotoxic; Hepatoprotective; Juniperus communis