Fate of biomolecules during carbon tetrachloride induced oxidative stress and protective nature ofAmmoniac bacciferaLinn.: A natural antioxidant

Abstract

Ethanol extract of Ammannia baccifera was studied for its protective nature against the oxidative damage of lipids, proteins and DNA in carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 )-induced toxicity in rats. CCl 4 administration to albino Wistar rats increased the levels of lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyls and decreased the levels of total sulfhydryls. CCl 4 also induced the elevation of DNA damage measured by the comet assay. The study revealed that the administration of the ethanol extract of A. baccifera to CCl 4 intoxicated rats could significantly (P , 0.01) decrease the levels of lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyls and increased the levels of total sulfhydryls in a dose-dependent manner. It was also found that the ethanol extract of A. baccifera prevent the CCl 4 -induced elevation of DNA damage in hepatocytes. These results suggest that treatment with the ethanol extract of A. baccifera can minimize the deleterious effects caused by CCl 4 through its strong antioxidative and free radical scavenging properties.