BackgroundSida cordata, a member of Family Malvaceae is used in folk medicine for various ailments including liver diseases. In this study we investigated, its flavonoid constituents, in vitro antioxidant potential against different free radicals and hepatoprotection against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver damage in rat.MethodsDried powder of S. cordata whole plant was extracted with methanol and the resultant (SCME) obtained was fractionated with escalating polarity to obtain n-hexane fraction (SCHE), ethyl acetate fraction (SCEE), n-butanol fraction (SCBE) and the remaining soluble portion as aqueous fraction (SCAE). Diverse in vitro antioxidants assays such as DPPH, H2O2, •OH, ABTS, β-carotene bleaching assay, superoxide radical, lipid peroxidation, reducing power, and total antioxidant capacity were studied to assess scavenging potential of methanol extract and its derived fractions. On account of marked scavenging activity SCEE was selected to investigate the hepatoprotective potential against CCl4 induced toxicity in Sprague–Dawley male rats by assessing the level of serum markers (alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase, bilirubin, and γ-glutamyltransferase) and of liver antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), glutathione-S-transfers (GST), glutathione reductase (GSR), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and reduced glutathione (GSH) and lipid peroxidation (TBARS). Histology of the liver was performed to study alteration in histoarchitecture. Existence of active flavonoids was established by thin layer chromatographic studies.ResultsConsiderable amount of flavonoid and phenolic contents were recorded in the methanol extract and its derived fractions. Although the extract and all its derived fractions exhibited good antioxidant activities however, the most distinguished scavenging potential was observed for SCEE. Treatment of SCEE decreased the elevated level of serum marker enzymes induced with CCl4 administration whereas increased the activity of hepatic antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD, POD, GST, GSR and GSH-Px). Hepatic concentration of GSH was increased while lipid peroxidation was decreased with SCEE administration in CCl4 intoxicated rats. Presence of apigenin with some unknown compounds was observed in SCEE by using thin layer chromatography.ConclusionsThese results revealed the presence of some bioactive compound in the ethyl acetate fraction, confirming the utility of S. cordata against liver diseases in folk medicine.

In the current study protective effect of ethanol extract of Pistacia chinensis bark (PCEB) was investigated in rats against CCl4 induced lung and thyroid injuries. PCEB dose dependently inhibited the rise of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, hydrogen peroxide, nitrite, and protein content and restored the levels of antioxidant enzymes, that is, catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, and quinone reductase in both lung and thyroid tissues of CCl4 treated rats. Decrease in number of leukocytes, neutrophils, and hemoglobin and T3 and T4 content as well as increase in monocytes, eosinophils, and lymphocytes count with CCl4 were restored to normal level with PCEB treatment. Histological study of CCl4 treated rats showed various lung injuries like rupture of alveolar walls and bronchioles, aggregation of fibroblasts, and disorganized Clara cells. Similarly, histology of CCl4 treated thyroid tissues displayed damaged thyroid follicles, hypertrophy, and colloidal depletion. However, PCEB exhibited protective behaviour for lungs and thyroid, with improved histological structure in a dose dependant manner. Presence of three known phenolic compounds, that is, rutin, tannin, and gallic acid, and three unknown compounds was verified in thin layer chromatographic assessment of PCEB. In conclusion, P. chinensis exhibited antioxidant activity by the presence of free radical quenching constituents.

It is concluded that some bioactive antioxidants of P. chinensis bark might be a good source to isolate the potent antioxidant components.

Abstract. Sattar S, Khan MR, Shah NA, Noureen F, Naz K. 2016. Nephroprotective potential of Pistacia chinensis bark extract against induced toxicity in rats. Nusantara . Pistacia chinensis possesses profound antioxidant properties. In this study, the protective influence of P. chinensis bark ethanol extract (PCBE) was scrutinized against CCl 4 induced renal toxicity in rats (6 rats in each group). Seven different groups of Sprague-Dawley male rats were intraperitoneally injected with CCl 4 (1 mL/kg b.w.; 30% CCl 4 in olive oil) at an interval of 48 hour for four weeks. PCBE at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg b.w. or silymarin at a dose of 100 mg/kg b.w. was orally administered to the animals on alternate days. CCl 4 induced renal toxicity was evident by a significant increase in specific gravity, albumin, count of RBCs and pus cells in urine. Administration of PCBE significantly ameliorated the enhanced serum level of urea, creatinine and bilirubin whereas increased the level of total protein. Moreover, the influence of CCl 4 significantly elevated the level of lipid peroxidation (TBARS), H 2 O 2 and nitrite content whereas enzymatic antioxidants (glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, and quinone reductase), nonenzymatic antioxidant reduced glutathione (GSH) content in kidney homogenate was compromised. When animals were treated along PCBE, a remarkable protective role was observed on all the parameters of kidney in comparison to only CCl 4 treated groups. From this study, it can be concluded that PCBE holds an effective antioxidant and nephroprotective property.