Methanol extract of Melastoma malabathricum leaves exerted antioxidant and liver protective activity in rats

Abstract

BackgroundMelastoma malabathricum L. (Melastomaceae) is a small shrub with various medicinal uses. The present study was carried out to determine the hepatoprotective activity of methanol extract of M. malabathricum leaves (MEMM) against the paracetamol-induced liver toxicity in rats model.MethodsThe respective chemicals and herbal solutions (10% DMSO, 200 mg/kg silymarin or MEMM (50, 250 and 500 mg/kg)) were administered orally to rats once everyday for 7 days followed by the hepatotoxicity assay. The blood samples and livers were collected and subjected to biochemical and microscopical analysis. Prior to the hepatoprotective study, MEMM was subjected to determination of the total phenolic content (TPC) and the antioxidant properties using several standard assays (e.g. 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl- and superoxide anion- radical scavenging assay, and oxygen radical absorbance capacity assay).ResultsMEMM exerted significant (p < 0.05) and high antioxidant activity in which high TPC was recorded; while in the hepatotoxicity study, the extract exhibited significant hepatoprotective effects against the paracetamol-induced hepatotoxic model. The results observed for serum liver enzymes (ALT, ALP and AST) as well as the microscopic observations and microscopic scoring supported the hepatoprotective potential of MEMM. The phytochemical and HPLC analysis of MEMM demonstrated the presence of flavonoids as its major constituents.ConclusionsThe MEMM-induced hepatoprotective activity could be allied partly to its antioxidant activity and the presence of flavonoids.

Antinociception of petroleum ether fraction derived from crude methanol extract of Melastoma malabathricum leaves and its possible mechanisms of action in animal models

“…For flavonoids, tannins, triterpene and steroids - + : weak colour; ++ : mild colour; +++ : strong colourFor saponins −+: 1 – 2 cm froth; ++: 2 – 3 cm froth; +++: > 3 cm frothFor alkaloids: − +: negligible amount of precipitate; ++: weak precipitate; +++: strong precipitate a Adapted from report made by Mamat et al [31]…”

“…The HPLC profile of MEMM has been published by Mamat et al [31]. The HPLC profile of the most effective fraction (PEMM) was established according to the same methods [31].…”

“…The HPLC profile of the most effective fraction (PEMM) was established according to the same methods [31]. Briefly, 10 mg of the respective fraction was suspended in 1 ml methanol and then filtered using the 0.45 μm pore size membrane filter.…”

Acute and sub-chronic oral toxicity studies of methanol extract of <i>Clinacanthus nutans</i> in mice

“…The MECN is subjected to phytochemical tests for the presence of alkaloids, saponins, flavanoids, tannins, triterpenes and steroids according to the method described by Zakaria et al (2011b) and Mamat et al (2013).…”

Chemopreventive activity of methanol extract of <i>Melastoma malabathricum</i> leaves in DMBA-induced mouse skin carcinogenesis

“…flavonoids, triterpenes, tannins and saponins) (Surh, 2002;Zakaria et al, 2011). MEMM has demonstrated high antioxidant and free radical scavenging potential when assessed by the DPPH radical scavenging and superoxide scavenging assays suggesting these effects direct or indirect contribution to the extract's observed anti-carcinogenic activity (Li et al 2008 Interestingly, we have also detected quercitrin in the MEMM (Mamat et al, 2013), which have been earlier reported to exert in vitro anti-carcinogenic activity against mouse JB6 cells and antioxidant activities (Ding et al, 2010). Moreover, quercitrin down-regulates transactivation of AP-1 and NF-κB induced by UVB or TPA.…”