In vivo and Invitro antioxidant properties of methanol extract of streblus asper lour

The in vivo and in vitro antioxidant properties of methanol extract of Streblus asper Lour (Family: Moraceae) (MESA) was evaluated. The in vitro antioxidant potential was determined by performing various assays such as DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging assay, lipid peroxidation inhibition assay, hydroxyl radical scavenging assay, nitric oxide scavenging assay and reducing ability. 3, 5-Di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxytoluene (BHT) was used as a standard. The IC50 values of MESA and BHT in DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging, lipid peroxidation inhibition, hydroxyl radical scavenging, and nitric oxide scavenging assays were 116.05, 110.07, 130.49, 143.99 ig/ml & 78.87, 89.97, 71.03, 103.77 ig/ml respectively. In the reducing ability assay, the Fe3+ to Fe2+ transformation was established as reducing capacity and the ability increased with increasing concentration. The phenolic content of the sample, determined using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and was found to be 55.28±5.24 mg gallic acid equivalents (GA)/g dry weight. The total flavonoid concentrations, detected using 2% aluminum chloride, was 20.57±3.82 mg quercetin equivalents (QE)/g dry weight. In the in vivo antioxidant study, MESA (250 and 500 mg/kg) was administered four days prior to single dose of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and on the 7th day, the antioxidant status was measured in the liver. The level of reduced glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT) significantly reduced in CC14 control animal, when compared to normal animal liver. MESA treatment significantly increased the GSH and CAT levels. The thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) level significantly reduced in the extract - treated groups, when compared to CCl4 control group. Serum biochemical parameters such as transaminases, phosphataes and total bilirubin level were significantly increased in toxin control groups and it restored to normal by supplementation of MESA and BHT. The obtained in vitro and in vivo results suggest that MESA possesses a significant antioxidant and hepatoprotective property.