Carbon tetrachloride induced kidney and lung tissue damages and antioxidant activities of the aqueous rhizome extract of Podophyllum hexandrum

Abstract

BackgroundThe present study was conducted to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo antioxidant properties of aqueous extract of Podophyllum hexandrum. The antioxidant potential of the plant extract under in vitro situations was evaluated by using two separate methods, inhibition of superoxide radical and hydrogen peroxide radical. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is a well known toxicant and exposure to this chemical is known to induce oxidative stress and causes tissue damage by the formation of free radicals.Methods36 albino rats were divided into six groups of 6 animals each, all animals were allowed food and water ad libitum. Group I (control) was given olive oil, while the rest groups were injected intraperitoneally with a single dose of CCl4 (1 ml/kg) as a 50% (v/v) solution in olive oil. Group II received CCl4 only. Group III animals received vitamin E at a concentration of 50 mg/kg body weight and animals of groups IV, V and VI were given extract of Podophyllum hexandrum at concentration dose of 20, 30 and 50 mg/kg body weight. Antioxidant status in both kidney and lung tissues were estimated by determining the activities of antioxidative enzymes, glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and superoxide dismutase (SOD); as well as by determining the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). In addition, superoxide and hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging activity of the extract was also determined.ResultsResults showed that the extract possessed strong superoxide and hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging activity comparable to that of known antioxidant butylated hydroxy toluene (BHT). Our results also showed that CCl4 caused a marked increase in TBARS levels whereas GSH, SOD, GR, GPX and GST levels were decreased in kidney and lung tissue homogenates of CCl4 treated rats. Aqueous extract of Podophyllum hexandrum successfully prevented the alterations of these effects in the experimental animals.ConclusionOur study demonstrated that the aqueous extract of Podophyllum hexandrum could protect the kidney and lung tissue against CCl4 induced oxidative stress probably by increasing antioxidant defense activities.

Pulmonary prophylactic impact of melatonin and/or quercetin: A novel therapy for inflammatory hypoxic stress in rats

“…7a-e). Similar observation was found in another study during CCl 4 administration to rat lungs (30). Treatment with melatonin or quercetin showed marked improvement of the alveoli and alveolar septae and a marked decrease of cellular infiltration, especially in rats that received a combination of melatonin and quercetin.…”

Anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activities of methanolic extract of Anthemis scrobicularis herbs

“…[41] The deficiency of GSH within the living organisms can cause tissue injury and malfunction. [42] In the current study, the liver NP-SH level in CCl 4 -treated groups was significantly diminished when compared with the control group. These findings are in accordance with earlier reports as sulfhydryl levels were significantly depleted in different organs of rats, when exposed to CCl 4 .…”

A comprehensive review on the phytochemical and pharmacological aspects of Podophyllum hexandrum: a high value medicinal plant

“…The antioxidant activity of the ethyl acetate extract of the rhizome of P. hexandrum was investigated by using DPPH scavenging assay, hydroxyl assay, H 2 O 2 assay, superoxide assay, and reducing power under in vitro conditions and by determining the antioxidant enzyme activities and glutathione levels in the liver tissue homogenate of albino rats under in vivo conditions. All the methods have proven the effectiveness of the ethyl acetate extract compared to known antioxidants BHT and α-tocopherol [38].…”