Protective Effect of <i>Loranthus globosus</i> on Stress-Induced Major Organ Dysfunctions in Mice

Abstract

The biochemical parameters such as SGOT, SGPT, MDA, and uric acid levels were investigated for the assessment of stress-induced dysfunction after immobilization stress on the Swiss albino mice. Stress induction caused the elevation of SGOT (7.7 ± 0.2 vs 88.8 ± 0.3; control vs stress), SGPT (10.3 ± 0.5 vs 110.5 ± 5.2), MDA (3.9 ± 0.2 vs 9.4 ± 0.2 in the serum and 4.0 ± 0.3 vs 13.9 ± 0.2 in brain; control vs stress) and uric acid (7.0 ± 0.1 vs 17.2 ± 0.3; control vs stress) levels in the serum. Histopathology of the liver, kidney heart and lung were also examined, and morphology indicated the degradation of each of the organ by the stress induction. The bark of Loranthus globosus was extracted with methanol and then fractionated with petroleum ether (PE), chloroform (CF) and ethyl acetate (EA). Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of flavanoids and phenolics in all fractions. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by in vitro assays using total antioxidant capacity and DPPH-free radical scavenging activity. The results demonstrated that among all the extractives of L. globosus EA fraction exhibited highest total antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity. The EA fraction of L. globosus (12 mg/kg b. w.) successfully reduced the increased biochemical parameters (stress vs stress + EAF); SGOT (88.8 ± 0.3 vs 9.9 ± 0.9), SGPT (110.5 ± 5.2 vs 14.6 ± 0.7), MDA (9.5 ± 0.2 vs 5.5 ± 0.1 in the serum; and 13.9 ± 0.2 vs 7.5 ± 0.2 in the brain) and serum uric acid (17.2 ± 0.3 vs 8.9 ± 0.1) on stress-induced mice. Histopathological analysis also supported the beneficial effects of EA fraction of L. globosus. Dexamethasone (2 mg/kg b. w.) was used as standard drug. The results suggested that the EA fraction of L. globosus might have some beneficial effects in preventing stress-induced organ dysfunction presumably through the neutralization of oxidative-stress generated during immobilization of mice. However, further study is necessary in order to precisely determine the exact molecular mechanisms.