- International Journal of Pure and Applied Zoology (2014) Volume 2, Issue 4

Achyranthes Aspera L. Ameliorates Aflatoxin B1- Induced Peroxidative Hepatic Damage in Rats

Aflatoxins are potent hepatotoxic and hepatocarcinogenic agents. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and consequent peroxidative damage caused by aflatoxin are considered to be the main mechanisms leading to hepatotoxicity. The present investigation aims at assessing the hepatoprotective effect of methanolic root extract of Acyranthes aspera L. on aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-induced hepatotoxicity in a rat model. The hepatoprotection of A. aspera is compared with silymarin, a well known standard hepatoprotectant. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase (ALKP), alanine and aspartate aminotransferases (ALT, AST) were found to be significantly increased in the serum and decreased in the liver of AFB1 administered (1 mg/kg body mass, orally) rats, suggesting hepatic damage. Marked increase in the lipid peroxide levels (LPO) and a concomitant decrease in the enzymic superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione reductase (GR), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST)) and nonenzymic reduced glutathione (GSH), vitamin C and vitamin E (antioxidants) in the hepatic tissue were observed in AFB1 administered rats. Pretreatment with A. aspera (100 mg/kg body mass, orally) and silymarin (25 mg/kg body mass, orally) for 7 days reverted the condition to near normal. The results of this study indicated that A. aspera is a potent hepatoprotectant as silymarin.

Author(s): P. Vanitha Pappa,C. Padmalatha

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