Evaluation of antioxidant potential, DNA damage and hepatoprotective properties of Lagenaria siceraria plant against acetaminophen induced hepatotoxicity

Introduction: Lagenaria siceraria has various pharmacological effects like antioxidant, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-ulcer, anti-cancer, hepatoprotective, antimicrobial, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective activities and is used to treat various diseases like diabetes, jaundice, piles, ulcers, hypertension, colitis, insanity, and skin diseases.Context and purpose of the study: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the phytochemical content, antioxidant activity, DNA damage and hepatoprotective activities of Lagenaria siceraria (LS)plant’s parts to explore their nutraceutical value.Methods: Phytochemical content was measured by the estimation of total phenolics, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, protein and carbohydrates while antioxidant activities were investigated by assaying the parameters of free radical scavenging activity, lipid peroxidation, superoxide anion radical scavenging activity, reducing power, and DNA damage protection assay. Hepatoprotective activity of LS leaf was measured by assaying cell viability, superoxide dismutase activity, malondialdehyde and nitric oxide formation.Results: Among the tested plant samples, LS leaves showed high contents of total phenolics, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, and protein contents whereas LS fruits have high carbohydrate contents. Evaluation of antioxidant activities in different parts of the LS plant showed that the LS leaf has high antioxidant properties as compared to other plant parts. The L. siceraria leaf also showed DNA protection activities against Fenton’s reagent as well as UV induced hydroxyl radical’s damage. To test the hepatoprotective activity of LS leaf against acetaminophen, induced hepatocellular toxicity and leaf extract concentrations of 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 μg/104 cells were administered to cultured hepatocytes before acetaminophen exposure. The experimental results showed that LS leaf extract restores superoxide dismutase activity and reduces malondialdehyde and nitric oxide formation as compared to acetaminophen alone treated cultured cells.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that leaves of L. siceraria plants have high antioxidant potential and DNA damage-protective and hepatoprotective activities. Hence, the leaf part of this plant may be used in different food applications to provide nutritional and health benefits, as well as in various liver care herbal formulations.Keywords: Antioxidant, Hepatoprotective activity, Hepatocytes, Lipid peroxidation, Total phenolics