The association between chronic stress, hair cortisol, and angiographically documented coronary atherosclerosis, a case-control study.

Cardiovascular diseases remain the principal contributor to global mortality and morbidity. Chronic stress has emerged as a strong prognostic factor for cardiovascular diseases. We aimed to measure hair cortisol concentration (HCC) in patients with angiographically confirmed coronary atherosclerosis and find the association between HCC and classic cardiovascular risk factors in a case-control study. The study included 500 angiographically confirmed coronary atherosclerosis patients and 500 age and sex-matched controls having no coronary stenosis. Hair cortisol concentration was assessed from a single sample of scalp hair by ELISA. Perceived stress scale 10 was used to evaluate the stress level of the participants. Spearman rank correlation was applied to find the association between hair cortisol level and classic cardiovascular risk factors. Multivariate regression was executed to assess the independent contribution of hair cortisol concentration as a coronary atherosclerosis risk factor. Median hair cortisol concentration was significantly high in patients with angiographically documented coronary atherosclerosis compared to controls (158(17.6-1331.3) pg/mg versus 73 (13.4-889) pg/mg. Hair cortisol concentration showed a significant positive correlation with BMI r = 525 and Hb1Ac r = 665 (both, p = ≤0.0001). In multivariate logistic regression analysis after adjusting for all the confounding variables, HCC, matched odds ratio (MOR), 10.73;95%CI (1.60,42.09) p-value = 0.001 remained the most significant predictor of coronary atherosclerosis.LAY SUMMARYHair cortisol concentrations (HCC) were significantly high in patients with angiographically confirmed coronary atherosclerosis compared to controls. HCC showed a significant positive correlation with diabetes and obesity and remained a major predictor of coronary atherosclerosis in the final analysis.

Phytochemistry, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of fruit extracts of Myrsine africana L.

Myrsine africana L. a commonly consumed medicinal plant grows in forest of mountains region located at North East of Pakistan. In current study, the fruit extracts were chemically characterized and their bioactivities were determined. Higher quantity of total phenols, total flavonoids and tannins were obtained from methanolic fruit extracts. The HPLC analysis provided higher level of quercetin followed by rutin and p-coumaric acid. Whereas the GC-MS quantification had given significant level of ten saturated and unsaturated fatty acids and some of them were not reported earlier. In vitro study, lower cytotoxic behavior of fruit extracts but higher antioxidant values as well as higher zone of inhibition versus S. aureus, E. coli, K. pneumonia and B. subtilis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis were observed. The organic compounds found in fruit extracts of M. africana correlated well with its used in ethno medicines.

Determination of in vivo biological activities of Dodonaea viscosa flowers against CCL4 toxicity in albino mice with bioactive compound detection.

Dodonaea viscosa L.Jacq. is an evergreen shrub and native to Asia, Africa, and Australia. It has been used as traditional medicine in different countries. The foremost objective of the current study was to discover the protective potential of D. viscosa flowers Methanol (DVM) and Chloroform (DVC) extracts against CCL4 induced toxicity in mice. This study was intended to identify phytochemicals through HPLC, GCMS, and FT-IR, as well as in vitro antioxidant and in vitro anti-tuberculosis activity. Our comprehensive findings indicate that Dodonaea viscosa is valuable and widespread herbal medicine through therapeutic potentials for curing various ailments. Dodonaeaviscosa flowersare found to have a protective effect against oxidative stress produced by CCL4 in the liver, kidney, and spleen. The intake of DV extracts restored the level of hepatic enzymes (ALP, AST ALT, and Direct bilirubin), hematological parameters (RBCs, WBCs, and Platelets), total protein, and liver antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GPx, and CAT) after a decline in levels by CCL4. Histopathological results discovered the defensive effect of 300 mg/kg of DVM extract against CCL4 induced damage, thus having an improved protective effect compared to DVC and control. As a result of metabolite screening, the total flavonoids and total phenolics were present in abundance. A phytochemical investigation by HPLC identified gallic acid, epicatechin, cumeric acid, flavonoids, while GCMS estimated oleic acid (Octadecenoic acid) (C18H34O2), Stearic acid (C18H36O2), Ricinoleic acid (C18H34O3), and Cedrol (C15H26O). DVM extract exhibited resistance against in vitro Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains. So this study proposed that the protective effect of DV against oxidative damage induced in the liver, kidney, and spleen can be correlated to the antioxidant compounds.

Preclinical Study on the Hepatoprotective Effect of Pollen Extract of Pinus brutia Ten. (Red Pine) in Mice and Phenolic Acid Analysis

Objectives: Many agents, including those from herbal sources, have been sought as preventives or cures for hepatotoxicity. The pollen of Pinus brutia Ten., known as red pine (Pinaceae), is used against liver diseases in Anatolian folk medicine. Materials and Methods: In the current study, pollen ethanol extract of P. brutia was investigated for its possible hepatoprotective activity using a mouse model of CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity. Swiss albino mice were divided into five groups, and extract-treated groups were compared with a silymarin-treated group as the reference. The extract was tested at 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg (b.w.). Phenolic acids were analyzed using high-performance column chromatography (HPLC) in the extracts as pollens are usually known to be rich in phenolics. Results: Our data revealed that the extract displayed the best hepatoprotection at a dose of 100 mg/kg when compared with silymarin (Legalon®), the reference drug. HPLC analysis indicated presence of protocatechuic acid (0.176 mg/g extract), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (0.001 mg/g extract), vanillic acid (VA) (0.537 mg/g extract), syringic acid (0.050 mg/g extract), and tr-cinnamic acid (0.310 mg/g extract), while the major phenolic acid was VA. Conclusion: The outcomes of this study allow us to conclude that red pine pollen extract can serve as a promising hepatoprotective agent. Among the phenolic acids analyzed in the pollen extract, vanillic acid as the major one besides some other phenolic acids detected seems to be responsible for its remarkable hepatoprotective effect.

Camel milk as an alternative treatment regimen for diabetes therapy.

Camel milk is a valuable source of nutrition with a wide range of therapeutic effects. Its unique composition helps to regulate the blood glucose level. The current study is aimed to evaluate the antidiabetic and hepatoprotective effects, as well as lipid profile restoration of camel milk in the diabetic mouse model. This innovative study evaluates the therapeutic effects of camel milk in diabetic mice by simultaneous measurement of blood glucose, HbA1c, ALT, AST, TG, cholesterol, and histopathological studies. The results showed that camel milk has significantly reduced blood glucose, HbA1c (p < .001), aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) (p < .01), triglyceride (TG), and cholesterol (p < .01), compared to that in the diabetic control group. Also, the therapeutic effects of camel milk were completely comparable with the antidiabetic drug glibenclamide. The results of this study suggest that camel milk could be used as a proper alternative treatment regimen for diabetes therapy.

Quantification of biochemical compounds in Bauhinia Variegata Linn flower extract and its hepatoprotective effect.

Liver disorders may occur as a result of exposure to chemical compounds capable of inducing the oxidative stress and hepatic injuries. The aim of present study was to investigate the effects of flower extracts of B. Variegata for the treatment of liver injury induced by the CCl4. About 1 ml/kg body weight (b.w) of CCl4 was induced to experimental mice by intraperitoneal way for 14 days. The methanol and chloroform extracts (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg b.w) were administered to experimental animals for 14 days along with standard drug Silymarine (100 mg/kg b.w). The extracts alone showed no evidence of hepatic toxicity but animals exposed to CCl4 without the treatment with B. Variegata presented variations in levels of liver enzymes, antioxidant enzymes, proteins and blood cells as well as injuries in liver cells were also observed during histopathological study. However, after the treatments especially with 300 mg/kg b.w of methanol flower extracts levels of liver markers (ALT, AST and ALP), antioxidant enzymes and blood cells decreases and turned towards normal levels. Whereas level of total proteins and bilirubin was improved and damaged liver cells were repaired. The curative activity of flower extracts can be correlated to the higher potential of antioxidants and occurrence of Quercetin and some other organic compounds those were investigated from flower extracts of B. Variegata during HPLC and GC-MS analysis. The finding of this study supports the use of B. Variegata flower formulation in folk medicines.

Isolation of Oxyberberine and ß-Sitosterol from Berberis lycium Royle Root Bark Extract and In Vitro Cytotoxicity against Liver and Lung Cancer Cell Lines.

Berberis lycium Royle has been traditionally used to cure rheumatism, eye and ear diseases, malarial fever, diabetes, stomach disorders, and skin diseases. There is a least amount of data available on cytotoxic capacity of Berberis lycium from Pakistani origin, so on this basis, the present study was aimed to screen Berberis lycium root bark extracts for cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines and isolation of chemical constituents from the most cytotoxic extract. Initial screening of extracts was performed on HepG2 cells at 100 µg/mL for 72 hours of treatment by using an MTT assay. Active fractions were subjected to a series of column chromatographies for the isolation of cytotoxic compounds. Molecular structures were elucidated by using combined data from 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and ESI-MS graphs. Assessment of reduction in cell proliferation by isolated compounds was performed on three human cancer cell lines (SK-Hep-1, HepG2, and NCI-H1299). Both n-hexane and chloroform fractions were found active with percent cell viabilities of 8.41 ± 2.23 and 22.31 ± 9.11 in HepG2 cells compared with lupeol 35.43 ± 3.35 percent viability. A protoberberine alkaloid identified as oxyberberine was isolated from chloroform fraction while ß-sitosterol was isolated from n-hexane fraction. Oxyberberine inhibited SK-Hep-1 cell proliferation under a dose-dependent manner with an IC50 value of 34.26 ± 3.34 µM while HepG2 cells showed 50% inhibition at 62.96 ± 4.12 µM. ß-Sitosterol showed reduction in cell viability in SK-Hep-1 cells and HepG2 cells with IC50 values of 123.12 ± 3.51 µM and 140 ± 4.21 µM. This is the first report on the isolation of oxyberberine and ß-sitosterol from Berberis lycium root bark and their cytotoxic evaluation against SK-Hep-1 and NCI-H1299 cells. The cytotoxic potential of Berberis lycium Royle extracts and isolated compounds is suggesting that it is a promising candidate for anticancer drug discovery.

Formulation and evaluation of antioxidant and antityrosinase activity of Polygonum amplexicaule herbal gel.

Medicinal plants are long been used for pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry. Among medicinal plants, Polygonum amplexicaule of family polygonaceae has traditional use in medicines and skin care. P. amplexicaule belongs to genus Polygonum that contains several important phytochemicals and considered as a rich source of antioxidants. The present study was designed to formulate herbal gel containing P. amplexicaule extract and evaluate its different physical properties as well as antioxidants and antityrosinase activities. Chitosan gel base was used as gelling agent and different gel formulations were prepared by different concentrations of extracts and polymers. Physical properties like pH, colour, odour, appearance and homogeneity, spreadability, extrudability and stability were optimized and analysed. A stable gel formulation containing 1% chitosan gel base and 5% plant extract was prepared that showed good appearance and homogeneity, easily spread ability and excellent extrudability. This gel formulation was tested for antioxidant and skin whitening properties by DPPH free radical scavenging assay and tyrosinase inhibition assay respectively and ascorbic acid was used as reference standard. DPPH scavenging activity with an IC50 value of 0.446 mg/mL and tyrosinase inhibition activity with an IC50 value of 0.805 mg/mL was observed and results indicated that this herbal gel formulation has a good potential for cosmetic use.

Chemical profiling and bioactivities on the leaf extracts of Vitex neugundo.

The Vitex negeundo is a widely used medicinal plant which has not been fully investigated in the past. We assessed the in vivo hepatoprotective and in vitro antioxidant, antibacterial, cytotoxicity and anti proliferative study of leaf extracts of V. neugundo. The chemically profiled using HPLC, three flavonoids were quantified and GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of two new compounds those were not reported earlier from the leaf extract of V. neugundo. The animal study was conducted on mice treated with CCl4 using methanolic and chloroform extracts (100, 200 and 300mg/kg b.w), with silymarin as a positive control. Hepatoprotective effects were determined by analyzing blood for liver marker enzymes, direct bilirubins and hematological parameters (RBC, WBC and platelets). The methanolic extract (300mg/kg b.w) has shown the stronger hepatoprotective effects against abnormalities produced by CCl4. The in vivo hepatoprotective effects correlated well with the in vitro antioxidant, cytotoxicity and antiproliferative activities and with high levels of flavonoids and other organic compounds analyzed from plant extracts. The leaf extracts of this plant could be good candidates for lead compound required for the development of antioxidant/anticancer drugs.

Chemical profiling, in vitro and in vivo bioactivities of leaf extracts of Vitex neugundo.

The Vitex negeundo is a widely used medicinal plant which has not been fully investigated in the past. We assessed the in vivo hepatoprotective and in vitro antioxidant, antibacterial, cytotoxicity and antiproliferative study of leaf extracts of V. Neugundo. The chemically profiled using HPLC, three flavonoids were quantified and GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of two new compounds those were not reported earlier. The animal study was conducted on mice treated with CCl4 using methanolic and chloroform extracts (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg b.w), with silymarin as a positive control. Hepatoprotective effects were determined by analyzing blood for liver marker enzymes, direct bilirubins and hematological parameters (RBC, WBC and platelets). The methanolic extract (300 mg/kg b.w) has shown the stronger hepatoprotective effects against abnormalities produced by CCl4. The in vivo hepatoprotective effects correlated well with the in vitro antioxidant, cytotoxicity and antiproliferative activities and with high levels of flavonoids and other organic compounds analyzed from plant extracts. The leaf extracts of this plant could be good candidates for lead compound required for the development of antioxidant/anticancer drugs.

Phytochemical screening and bioactivity assessment of leaves and fruits extract of Carica papaya.

The consumption of fruits and vegetables has increased in recent years due to their health benefits as fruits and vegetables contain secondary metabolites, those has been reported to possess different pharmacological effects against many human ailments. In the current study antioxidants, antimicrobial and cytotoxic effects of leaves and fruit extracts of Carica papaya were evaluated. The antioxidant activities of plant extracts were carried out by using 2,2 -diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl. (DPPH), H2O2, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) and reducing power assays and were compared with standards compounds (Ascorbic acid and Rutin). Antibacterial and antifungal activities of leaves and fruit extracts were assessed against four bacterial and fungal strains and also their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were calculated. Whereas for evaluation of cytotoxicity of plant extracts, brine shrimps cytotoxic assay was performed. Plant extracts were finally analyzed for phytochemicals by using UV/Visible spectrophotometer and High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results indicates that plants extracts contained important compounds (phenols, flavonoids and other secondary metabolites) those have higher antioxidants and antimicrobial as well as lower proportion of MIC values. Whereas cytotoxic index of plant extracts were minor that specifies its appropriateness to use as a pharmaceutical materials probably be essential for drugs preparation. It is expected that such drugs could be lesser toxic and have lower cost as compared to drugs already available in market.

Pharmacological and phytochemical analysis of Bergenia ciliata leaf and rhizome extracts.

Antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, cytotoxic, and anti-haemolytic activity of various rhizome extracts of Bergenia ciliata were evaluated in this study. The results showed inhibition of the growth of all selected bacterial and fungal strains in comparison with standard antibiotics. The antioxidant activities of Bergenia ciliata extracts were evaluated against DPPH, H2O2, ABTS, total antioxidant capacity and reducing power assays. The order of antioxidant activity of various extracts were methanol> ethanol>n-hexane> aqueous>chloroform. The cytotoxicity ( brine shrimp assay) and anti-haemolytic activities of plant extracts were also promising and varies in dose depended manner. The phytochemical analysis of rhizome extracts of Bergenia ciliata revealed presence of various secondary metabolites which might be responsible for the antimicrobial, antioxidant, cytotoxic and anti-haemolytic activities.

Scanning electron microscopy as a tool for authentication of oil yielding seed.

Now-a-days, plant species are consumed globally for various purposes and this increasing demand leads to adulteration due to gradually exploitation in natural resources. The major causes of adulteration may be confusion in nomenclature, unawareness of authentic sources, unavailability of authentic sources, color resemblances, deficiencies in collection procedures, and misidentification. This study aims to use the microscopic techniques such as scanning electron microscopy for the authentication of the oil yielding seeds of four important and traditionally used species Prunus persica, Prunus domestica, and Eruca sativa and Argemone Mexicana from their adulterants. All of these are versatile in usage. Locally, these four plants are adulterated badly and there is need to provide a criteria and a complete monograph for correct identification. This research may prove to be helpful for quality control and as well for future studies to explore other novel aspects of these plants.

The In Vitro and In Vivo Biological Activities of the Leaf of Cape Myrtle, Myrsine africana L.

The cape myrtle, Myrsine africana L., is a widely used medicinal plant, which has not been well investigated. We assessed the in vivo hepatoprotective and in vitro antiproliferative and antioxidant effects of leaf extracts of M. africana chemically profiled using high-performance liquid chromatography. Three flavonoids were quantified, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis revealed the presence of common fatty acids. The animal study was conducted on mice treated with CCl4, using three doses each of the methanol and chloroform extract (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg b.w.),with silymarin as a positive control. Hepatoprotective effects were determined by analyzing blood for liver marker and antioxidant enzymes, direct bilirubins and total proteins. The methanol extract (300 mg/kg b.w.) showed the strongest hepatoprotective effects against abnormalities produced by CCl4. The in vivo hepatoprotective effects correlated well with the in vitro antioxidant and antiproliferative activities and with high levels of flavonoids in the extracts. Finally, molecular docking studies of the constituent quercetin were undertaken in silico and several sites of binding to human estrogen receptor (ER) protein, linked with alkaline phosphatase, identified. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

TiO2/UV based photocatalytic pretreatment of wheat straw for biogas production.

The present study deals with the application of an advanced oxidation process combining UV irradiation in the presence of the photocatalyst titanium dioxide (TiO2), as an effective pretreatment method of wheat straw as means for increasing its biodegradability for increased biogas production by anaerobic digestion (AD). Especially attention was paid in oxidation of the lignin in straw, besides release the sugars from the lignocellulosic structure of straw. Specifically, four different TiO2 concentrations (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0% (w/w) TiO2) were tested at three different irradiation times (0, 1, 2, and 3 h). Products of lignin-fraction oxidation, namely, vanillic acid, ferullic acid and acetic acid were quantified for each set of pretreatment conditions. Subsequently, biochemical methane potentials (BMPs) assays were conducted under thermophilic conditions from differentially pretreated samples and the pretreatment with the best performance was further tested in continuous mode operation. From BMP assays, 1.5% (w/w) TiO2/straw at 3 h of UV light exposure pretreatment resulted in 37% (p < 0.05) increase in methane yield and 25% in CSTRs. It was concluded that the presence of TiO2 and the products of lignin oxidation did not inhibit the AD process. Finally, a simplified energy assessment showed that all pretreatment conditions become feasible when amounts of substrate to be treated are greater than the threshold value of 1.15 g.

Hypoglycemic and hypocholesterolemic activity of leave of few medicinal plants against steptozotocin induced hyperglycemia.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is universal of the hormonal problem and Type II diabetes is foremost obstacle. Accessible management in medicine has numerous contrary paraphernalia. Medical flora shows an essential part in managing diabetes specifically in unindustrialized nations. The present study was done on leaves of Rhazya stricta Decane, Adhatoda zeylanica, Berberis lycium Royle and Olea furrrignea, whose methanolic extracts were used to check their hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity by using glucometer and kit method respectively in blood of male and female albino mice Balb C. Results showed that leaves of R. stricta were best for hypoglycemia (125.34±63.79mg/dl, 107.34±18.00mg/dl, 146.00±40.36mg/dl and 178.34±17.03mg/dl), hypocholesterolemia (147.88±21.83mg/dl and 125.89±14.03mg/dl) and triglycerides (103±8.88mg/dl and 89.±43.4mg/dl) in random and fasting conditions, in male and female mice respectively. All plant extract were most effective for hypoglycemia and hypocholesterolemia in female mice as compared to male mice. Moreover statistical analysis revealed that leaves of other plants were also effective but less than leaves of R. stricta. So this plant part and a combination of presently used plants can be used for further studies particularly among females by the purification of active compounds against hyperglycemia and hypercholesterolemia.

Expression of Rice Chitinase Gene in Genetically Engineered Tomato Confers Enhanced Resistance to Fusarium Wilt and Early Blight.

This is the first study reporting the evaluation of transgenic lines of tomato harboring rice chitinase (RCG3) gene for resistance to two important fungal pathogens Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (Fol) causing fusarium wilt and Alternaria solani causing early blight (EB). In this study, three transgenic lines TL1, TL2 and TL3 of tomato Solanum lycopersicum Mill. cv. Riogrande genetically engineered with rice chitinase (RCG 3) gene and their R1 progeny was tested for resistance to Fol by root dip method and A. solani by detached leaf assay. All the R0 transgenic lines were highly resistant to these fungal pathogens compared to non-transgenic control plants. The pattern of segregation of three independent transformant for Fol and A. solani was also studied. Mendelian segregation was observed in transgenic lines 2 and 3 while it was not observed in transgenic line 1. It was concluded that introduction of chitinase gene in susceptible cultivar of tomato not only enhanced the resistance but was stably inherited in transgenic lines 2 and 3.

Evaluation of antioxidant potential and HPLC based identification of phenolics in Polygonum amplexicaule extract and its fractions.

There is a growing interest for the plant-based medicines in pharmaceutical industry. Plant derived Antioxidants have gained huge importance regarding their medicinal value. The present study was designed to establish pharmaceutical value of Polygonum amplexicaule for their antioxidant activity using shoot, leaf and rhizome crude methanolic extract along with their n-butanolic, ethanolic, ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions. DPPH assay was used to assess antioxidants, which shows the maximum activity by crude methanolic extract of leaves (CMEL) having IC(50) 1.03 µg/ml where all other fractions showed IC(50) in a range of 1.03-58.2 µg/mL. The DNA plasmid protection assay showed that 10 ppm and 100 ppm concentrations of crude methanolic extracts (rhizome and leaf), aqueous fractions (shoot and leaf extract), n-butanolic fractions (shoot and leaf extract) and ethanolic fraction (rhizome extract) have DNA protection properties. TLC and HPLC based Identification of different antioxidants present in shoot, leaf and rhizome crude extracts and their fractions showed the presence of gallic acid, quercetin, catechin, caffeic acid, rutin, myricetin and kaempferol. This study suggested that this plant have high content of antioxidants, which needs to be investigated further for their medicinal and/cosmaceutical applications.

PAH exposure and oxidative stress indicators of human cohorts exposed to traffic pollution in Lahore city (Pakistan).

Pollution from road traffic is not only a major source of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) but also a growing problem in the city of Lahore (Pakistan). In this study, we evaluated exposure to traffic-related PAHs, among subjects including traffic police officers (TPs), rickshaw drivers (RKs) shopkeepers working near main roads (SKs) and a control group (CN) for comparative analyses. We monitored the 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) as biomarkers of exposure to PAHs and its probable association with catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH) glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) activity as biomarkers of oxidative stress in selected cohorts from the city Lahore. Results showed that median 1-OHP concentration was significantly higher in TPs than CN (med 1.21 vs. 0.51 µmol mol-C(-1) respectively, P=0.046), followed by RKs (0.68 µmol mol-C(-1), P=0.19 vs. CN). Furthermore, GSH, GSHPx, and CAT activities were also higher in exposed subjects than CN, which indicated that they experienced oxidative stress. Similar, but less severe observations were recorded in SKs. Observation of self-reported health status showed that, on the basis of daily time spent in the middle of heavy traffic, TPs and RKs most frequently suffered from adverse head and respiratory symptoms. The study shows that increasing traffic pollution can be associated with important health risk factor not only for the workers in transport industry but also for the public. Finally, the issue of traffic pollution in Lahore city needs to be addressed on priority.

Effect of leaf extracts of Taraxacum officinale on CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity in rats, in vivo study.

Taraxacum officinale L is a medicinal plant, which has enormous medicinal values against various types of liver disorders and it has traditionally been used for the treatment of liver problems by people from the South East Asia. Previously we have screened the crude methanolic extract of T. officinale against cytotoxicity induced by CCl4. Present study was designed to compare the protective effect of ethanolic and n-hexane extract of leaves in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver toxicity in rats. The extract (200 mg/kg and 400mg/kg body weight) along with silymarin (100 mg/kg) a standard drug was administered to experimental animals. It was observed that ethanolic plant extract has significantly reduced the negative effect of CCl4 as compared to n-hexane extract and effect of extract was increased with increasing dose level. Although both leaf extracts decreased the concentration of TBARS, H2O2 and nitrite contents which enhance due to CCl4 toxicity but effect was higher in ethanolic extract. The results clearly indicated that Taraxacum officinale ethanolic leaves extract has better protective effect against CCl4 induced liver tissues toxicity. This claim was also supported by histopathological results obtained during this study and this might be due to presence of various polar phytochemicals that might be more prevent in this extract.