Hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities ofTamarix niloticaflowers

Abstract

Context: Tamarix nilotica (Ehrenb.) Bunge (Tamaricaceae) is used in the Egyptian traditional medicine as an antiseptic agent. This plant has been known since pharaonic times and has been mentioned in medical papyri to expel fever, relieve headache, to draw out inflammation, and as an aphrodisiac. No scientific study is available about the biological effect of this plant.Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the hydro-alcoholic extract (80%) of T. nilotica flowers for hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities. Materials and methods: Hepatoprotective activity was assessed using carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic injury in rats by monitoring biochemical parameters. Antioxidant activity was evaluated in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Biochemical markers of hepatic damage such as serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and tissue glutathione were determined in all groups. Results and conclusion: Carbon tetrachloride (5 mL/kg body weight) enhanced the SGOT, SGPT, and ALP levels. There was a marked reduction in tissue glutathione level in diabetic rats. The hydro-alcoholic extract of T. nilotica (100 mg/kg body weight) ameliorated the adverse effects of carbon tetrachloride and returned the altered levels of biochemical markers near to the normal levels.

Tamarix nilotica (Ehrenb) Bunge: A Review of Phytochemistry and Pharmacology

“…Aqueous ethanol extract of flowers of T. nilotica ameliorated the adverse effects of carbon tetrachloride and returned the altered levels of biochemical markers near to the normal levels [40]. In this study, carbon tetrachloride was used to induce liver damage and hence enhancing the levels of SGOT, SGPT and ALP.…”

“…T. nilotica showed a selective cytotoxic potential against liver (HUH-7), colon (HCT-116), lung and breast (MCF-7) carcinoma cell, while being non-toxic to other cancer cells [9,40].…”

“…The in vitro antioxidant assays used in this study were 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, superoxide anion scavenging activity and iron chelating activity [26,40].…”

The Pharmacological Activity of Some Tamaricaceae Plants

“…nilotica is used in traditional Egyptian medicine as an antiseptic agent. In addition, T. nilotica has been known since pharaonic times and has been used to expel fever, relieve headache, draw out inflammation, and as an aphrodisiac too [20]. In Yemen, an infusion of fresh leaves of T. nilotica is used to treat diarrhea [5].…”

Phenolic content, radical scavenging activity and cytotoxicity of Tamarix nilotica (Ehrenb.) bunge growing in Egypt

“…T. nilotica (Ehrenb.) Bunge has its root deep in the Egyptian history where it was mentioned in ancient papyri in pharaonic times to expel fever, relieve headache, to draw out inflammation and as an aphrodisiac, in addition, it was used in Egyptian traditional medicine as an antiseptic agent (Abouzid and Sleem, 2011). In Egypt, different parts of Tamarix are used; the leaves and young branches are cooked for oedema of spleen and mixed with ginger for uterus infections, while the bark, when boiled in water with vinegar is used as *Corresponding author.…”