Protective effect of juice extract of mesocarp rind of Citrullus lanatus in carbon tetrachloride-induced oxidative stress in rats

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are main free radicals generated as a result of oxidative stress, and these ROS may induce oxidative damage to essential biomolecules[1]. Over-production of ROS is termed as oxidative stress. Oxidative stress represents a disproportion between the systemic manifestation of ROS and a biological system’s ability to readily detoxify the reactive intermediates or to repair the resulting damage[2]. There are various neurodegenerative diseases that can occur as a result of oxidative stress caused by generation of reactive oxygen species. These diseases include cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, tumors, rheumatoid arthritis and epilepsy[3,4]. Human body system is endowed with endogenous protective antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase that acts as first line of defense, and catalase that mop-ups free radicals which may be produced[5]. However, if the endogenous protective enzymes fall below normal level or become insufficient, dietary antioxidants are needed to counter the effect of excess free radicals production[6]. A number of synthetic antioxidants such as butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylhydroxytoluene (BHT) have been shown to be carcinogenic[7,8]. Therefore, it is very necessary to find alternative antioxidants of natural origin which are cheap and safe. It has been reported that consumption of certain plant materials may prevent the risk of degenerative diseases caused by oxidative stress[9]. The protective effect of these plant materials against oxidative damage may be connected to the antioxidant compounds including carotenoids, vitamins, flavonoids and phenolics present in the plant[10]. Therefore, the search for antioxidants of natural origin as well as isolation of these antioxidant active components now become imperative[11-13]. Certain plants have been reported to be of medicinal importance, and the decoctions of local medicinal plants as well as vegetables consumed by people are believed to have a meaningful contribution to human health improvement, in terms ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT