Hepaotoprotective and nephroprotective activities of Pistacia integerrima fruit extract in paracetamol intoxicated male rabbits with effect on blood cells count.

The beneficial effects of Pistacia integerrima (PI) fruit methanol extract on some liver and kidney related parameters and blood cells count of paracetamol (PCM) intoxicated male rabbits were studied. Paracetamol intoxication caused remarkable increase in the serum ALT, AST and ALP levels. The PCM intoxicated rabbits that received PI extract orally at doses of 200 mg and 400 mg/kg b.w. /oral/day for 16 days showed significant reduction in serum ALT, AST and ALP levels (P<0.05). Liver microsections from PCM intoxicated rabbits treated with PI fruit methanol extract showed improvement in the liver histoarchitecture. The urine output of PCM intoxicated control rabbits group was significantly lower (P<0.05). The PCM intoxicated rabbits that received PI extract showed significant increase in urine output (P<0.05). The PCM intoxicated rabbits treated with PI extract also showed significant reduction in the levels of serum urea and creatinine (P<0.05). The renal creatinine clearance of PCM rabbits treated with PI extract improved significantly (P<0.05). Microsections of kidneys from PCM intoxicated rabbits treated with PI fruit methanol extract showed improvement in renal histoarchitecture. During this study, PI extract caused no improvement in the RBC count of PCM intoxicated rabbits. However, the extract caused significant increase in WBC and platelets count (P < 0.05) of PCM intoxicated rabbits. From the findings of the present research, it was concluded that oral administration of P. integerrima fruit methanol extract is beneficial for the liver and kidney related biochemical parameters and blood cells count of paracetamol intoxicated male rabbits.

In vitro antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities of Paeonia emodi (Wall.) rhizome methanol extract and its phenolic compounds rich fractions.

The present study aimed to quantify the total phenolic content in Paeonia emodi rhizome methanol extract and its fractions and then evaluate the in vitro antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities of fractions rich in phenolic compounds. Maximum quantity of total phenolic content was observed in butanol (112.08±5.5 mg GAE/g dw) and chloroform fraction (107.0±3.5 mg GAE/g dw) followed by methanol extract (94.2±4.4 mg GAE/g dw), aqueous fraction (92.9±2.5 mg GAE/g dw), ethyl acetate (62.3±8.3 mg GAE/g dw) and n-hexane fraction (51.6±7.2 mg GAE/g dw). The fractions rich in total phenolic content were evaluated for in vitro antioxidant activity based on 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging assay. The butanol and chloroform fraction showed significantly (P<0.05) higher radical scavenging activity with IC50 values of 6.5 and 7.05±2.5 ppm respectively. Positive correlation (R square=0.95) was observed between total phenolic content and in vitro antioxidant activity. The fractions rich in phenolic compounds were also evaluated for their hepatoprotective activity in paracetamol intoxicated mice. Five days oral administration of these fractions at a dose of 300 mg/kg body weight restored the serum ALT, AST and ALP levels of paracetamol intoxicated mice to normal level. From the results of the present research it was concluded that the butanol and chloroform fractions of P. emodi rhizome methanol extract are rich in phenolic compounds and strong antioxidant and effective in attenuation of hepatotoxicity.

In vitro antioxidant activities of four medicinal plants on the basis of DPPH free radical scavenging.

The present research investigation was aimed at the evaluation of antioxidant activities of methanolic (70%) extracts of whole plant of Pentanema vestitum and fruits of Pistacia integerrima, Withiana somniferra and Withiana coagulans on scavenging of 2, 2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical. The rank of order of free antioxidant activity of the selected plants was; P. integerrima > P. vestitum > W. somniferra > W. coagulans as compared to standard Ascorbic acid. P. integerrima showed significantly higher activity at all concentrations as compared to Ascorbic acid at P<0.05. The percent inhibition caused by P. integerrima at lowest concentration (40 ppm) was 68.16±0.5 and that of Ascorbic acid was 62.00±0.5. The IC50 value of P. integerrima was 5.75ppm as compared to ascorbic acid having 15.09 ppm. The percent inhibition at all concentrations caused by P. vestitum was not significantly different from Ascorbic acid at P<0.05. The IC50 value of P. vestitum was 13.00ppm and that of Ascorbic acid was 15.09 ppm. The percent inhibitions caused by W. somniferra (IC50=46.85 ppm) and W. coagulans (IC50=84.40 ppm) were most significantly lower than Ascorbic acid at P<0.05. It is inferred from the current study that the methanolic (70%) extracts of the P. integerrima and P. vestitum could be used in preparation of potent antioxidant drugs.