These data suggest that the bioavailability of carotenoids is greater from human milk than infant formula primarily due to intestinal absorptive processes, and that absorption of lutein is potentiated by factors from human milk especially at low lutein concentration.

Background: Whole plant of Bambusa arundinaceae (Bamboo) belonging to family (Graminae) is used in number of disease including liver ailments in various parts of India. The present study is done to evaluate antioxidant and Hepatoprotective activity of methanolic extract of young shoots of Bambusa arundinaceae in Thioacetamide induced liver injury in rats. Material and method: Antioxidant activity of methanolic extract was evaluated by DPPH, Ferric reducing power assay and Lipid peroxidation. In vitro hepatoprotective activity of methanolic extracts (25, 50, 100, 200 and 400 µg/ml) against thioacetamide (100mM) induced cytotoxicity was assessed by monitoring cell viability in HepG2 and Hep3b tumor cell line and also in primary hepatocytes. In vivo hepatoprotective activity of methanolic extract (50, 100, 200 mg/kg p.o.) was observed againt thioacetamide (100 mg/kg s.c.) induced liver injury in rat by measuring biochemical parameters viz, Aspartate Transaminase, Alanine Transaminase, Alkaline Phosphatase, Total and Direct Bilirubin. The histopathological studies were also performed. Results: Methanolic extract of young shoots showed good antioxidant activity. Thioacetamide caused significant reduction in cell viability in in vitro studies. Treatment with methanolic extract caused significant increase in cell viability. In vivo studies showed that Thioacetamide induced elevation of biochemical parameters in rats were significantly (p<0.0001) decreased with methanolic extract treatment in rats. Histopathology studies also supported the protective effect of methanolic extract. Conclusion: The current study reveals that the methanolic extract of Bambusa arundinaceae has hepatoprotective activity which may be due to its antioxidant activity.