Antiinflammatory properties of Hypoxis hemerocallidea corm (African potato) extracts in rats

The effects of aqueous and methanolic extracts of Hypoxis hemerocallidea corm, locally known as 'African potato' in South Africa, were examined on rat paw edema induced by subplantar injections of fresh egg albumin (0.5 ml/kg). Acetyl salicylic acid (100 mg/kg p.o.) was used as the reference antiinflammatory agent for comparison. Both the aqueous and methanolic extracts of H. hemerocallidea corm (500 mg/kg p.o.) progressively reduced rat paw edema induced by the subplantar injections of fresh egg albumin. The methanolic extract produced relatively greater and more pronounced antiinflammatory effect than the aqueous extract in the experimental animal model used. However, the two extracts of African potato examined in this study were found to be less potent than acetyl salicylic acid (ASA) as an antiinflammatory agent.     

The effects of orally administered crude alcohol and aqueous extracts of African potato (Hypoxis hemerocallidea) corm on the morphometry of viscera of suckling rats.

The litter from six Sprague-Dawley rats was used to study the short-term effects of African potato (AP) corm extracts in suckling rats. Ten days after birth, the pups in each litter were assigned to treatment groups and received alcohol (AL) or aqueous (AQ) extracts of AP (50 mg kg(-1) b.w. in 0.9% saline, 10 ml kg(-1) b.w., and a high dose 200 mg kg(-1) b.w. in 0.9% saline, 10 ml kg(-1) b.w.) via a stomach tube, for 5 consecutive days. A fifth group (control) received 0.9% saline (10 ml kg(-1) b.w.). Between gavage, the pups were kept with their dams. The pups were then killed and the viscera removed for gross and microscopic morphometric measurements. The low dose of AQ and AL extracts of AP significantly increased (P<0.01, ANOVA) the mean weight gain. The high dose of AQ significantly increased (P<0.05, ANOVA) the weight of the caeca whilst the low dose of the AL extract reduced pancreas weight compared to the control and low dose AQ groups. All other morphometric parameters of the viscera measured did not differ significantly between the groups. The small intestinal villi and crypts did not reveal any signs of pathology.     

Hypoglycemic effect of aqueous extract of Ammi visnaga in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

The effect of the aqueous extract of Ammi visnaga (Apiaceae) on blood glucose levels was investigated in fasting normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats after single and repeated oral administration. The aqueous extract of Ammi visnaga (AV) at a dose of 20 mg/kg significantly reduced blood glucose in normal rats six hours after a single oral administration (P < 0.005) and nine days after repeated oral administration (P < 0.05). This hypoglycemic effect is more pronounced in streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic rats (P < 0.001). Acute toxicity (LD50) and general behavioural effects of an aqueous extract of AV fruits was studied in mice. The LD50 of intraperitoneal (i.p.) and oral administration was 3.6 and 10.1 g/kg, respectively. These findings suggest that the aqueous extract of AV possess significant hypoglycemic effect in both normal and STZ diabetic rats and support, therefore, its claimed clinical use by the Moroccan population.     

Hypoglycemic effect of aqueous extract of Parthenium hysterophorus L. in normal and alloxan induced diabetic rats

Objectives:

To study the effects of Parthenium hysterophorus L. flower on serum glucose level in normal and alloxan induced diabetic rats.

Materials and Methods:

Albino rats were divided into six groups of six animals each, three groups of normal animals receiving different treatments consisting of vehicle, aqueous extract of Parthenium hysterophorus L. flower (100 mg/kg) and the standard antidiabetic drug, glibenclamide (0.5 mg/kg). The same treatment was given to the other three groups comprising alloxan induced diabetic animals. Fasting blood glucose level was estimated using the glucose oxidase method in normal and alloxan induced diabetic rats, before and 2 h after the administration of drugs.

Results:

Parthenium hysterophorus L. showed significant reduction in blood glucose level in the diabetic (P<0.01) rats. However, the reduction in blood glucose level with aqueous extract was less than with the standard drug glibenclamide. The extract showed less hypoglycemic effect in fasted normal rats, (P<0.05).

Conclusion:

The study reveals that the active fraction of Parthenium hysterophorus L. flower extract is very promising for developing standardized phytomedicine for diabetes mellitus.     

Hypoglycemic activity of aqueous seed extract of Hunteria umbellata in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

The present study evaluated the aqueous seed extract of Hunteria umbellata K. Schum (Apocynaceae) for hypoglycemic activity in rats. Diabetes was induced by a single dose of streptozotocin (50?mg/kg i.p.). Daily doses of 400, 800, and 1000?mg/kg of extract were orally administered to fasted normal and diabetic rats. Blood glucose levels were monitored after 0, 2, 4, 8, 12?h and on day 14 post treatment. Liver glycogen levels were also estimated on day 14. In normal rats, only 400?mg/kg of the extract produced a significant reduction in blood glucose at the 4?h (P?<?0.05) which was 22.15?±?4.88%. In diabetic rats, the extract, 400, 800?mg/kg, caused significant reduction (P?<?0.01), 51.87% ± 5.79% and 43.47% ± 8.06% respectively, with maximum effect at 8?h. This reduction in blood glucose was greater than that of glibenclamide (31.03% ± 8.86%). Diabetic rats administered with 400?mg/kg extract produced a significant reduction (P?<?0.01) on day 14 (43.60% ± 8.10%). Liver glycogen levels were significantly increased (P?<?0.05) in diabetic rats administered with doses of 400 and 800?mg/kg extracts and these were comparable to glibenclamide. Acute toxicity data showed no mortality in mice up to 17.5?g/kg. We conclude that the extract possesses marked hypoglycemic effects in diabetic rats possibly through increased glycogenesis, thus justifying its use in herbal medicine for the treatment of diabetes.     

Hypoglycemic and hypotensive effects of Psidium guajava Linn. (Myrtaceae) leaf aqueous extract

The leaf of Psidium guajava Linn. (family, Myrtaceae) is used traditionally in African folk medicine to manage, control, and/or treat a plethora of human ailments, including diabetes mellitus and hypertension. In order to scientifically appraise some of the anecdotal, folkloric, ethnomedical uses of P. guajava Linn., the present study was undertaken to investigate the hypoglycemic and hypotensive effects of P. guajava leaf aqueous extract (PGE, 50-800 mg/kg) in rat experimental paradigms. The hypoglycemic effect of the plant's extract was examined in normal and diabetic rats, using streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes mellitus model. Hypertensive Dahl salt-sensitive rats were used to investigate the hypotensive (antihypertensive) effect of the plant's extract. Chlorpropamide (CPP; 250 mg/kg, p.o.) was used as the reference hypoglycemic agent for comparison. Acute oral administrations of the plant's extract (PGE; 50-800 mg/kg, p.o.) caused dose-related, significant (p < 0.05-0.001) hypoglycemia in normal (normoglycemic) and STZ-treated, diabetic rats. Moreover, acute intravenous administrations of the plant's extract (PGE, 50-800 mg/kg i.v.) produced dose-dependent, significant reductions (p < 0.05-0.001) in systemic arterial blood pressures and heart rates of hypertensive, Dahl salt-sensitive rats. Although the exact mechanisms of action of the plant's extract still remain speculative at present, it is unlikely that the extract causes hypotension in the mammalian experimental animal model used via cholinergic mechanisms, since its cardiodepressant effects are resistant to atropine pretreatment. The numerous tannins, polyphenolic compounds, flavonoids, pentacyclic triterpenoids, guiajaverin, quercetin, and other chemical compounds present in the plant are speculated to account for the observed hypoglycemic and hypotensive effects of the plant's leaf extract. However, the results of this experimental animal study indicate that the leaf aqueous extract of P. guajava possesses hypoglycemic and hypotensive properties, and thus lend pharmacological credence to the suggested folkloric, ethnomedical uses of the plant in the management or control of adult-onset, type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension in some rural African communities.     

地菍水提物对四氧嘧啶致糖尿病小鼠的降糖作用

目的研究地菍的降血糖作用。方法以四氧嘧啶诱发糖尿病小鼠模型,将不同剂量地菍水提物（60、40、和20g生药&#183;kg^-1）灌胃给药,阳性对照组给予盐酸二甲双胍（750mg&#183;kg^-1）,连续给药10d,观察给药后的血糖值。结果地菍高剂量能明显降低四氧嘧啶致糖尿病小鼠的血糖（P〈0．01）。结论地菍对四氧嘧啶致糖尿病小鼠有一定降血糖作用。     

Protective effect of aqueous extract of Oroxylum indicum Linn. (root bark) against DNBS-induced colitis in rats

Objective:

Aqueous root extract of Oroxylum indicum was evaluated in rats against dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (DNBS) induced colitis.

Materials and Methods:

Rats were pre-treated orally for seven days and continued for four days after the induction of colitis with OI_aq (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) or vehicle. Colitis was induced by intracolonic instillation of 25 mg of DNBS per rat dissolved in 50% alcohol and 4 days later, the colonic mucosal damage was analyzed along with food intake, body weight, colon weight, spleen weight, histological damage, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, reduced glutathione (GSH), and nitric oxide levels in colonic tissue homogenate.

Results:

Significant reduction in gross damage area, weight loss and increase in colonic and spleen weight were evident in test substance-pretreated animals’ dose dependently as compared to vehicle treated control. These effects were confirmed biochemically by a reduction in colonic myeloperoxidase activity, malondialdehyde levels, nitric oxide levels, and increase in reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. Furthermore, microscopic examination revealed diminution of inflammatory cell infiltration and submucosal edema in colon segments of rats treated with OI_aq.

Conclusion:

The results demonstrate the protective effect of OI_aq in the animal model of acute colitis possibly through an antioxidant, anti-lipoperoxidative or due to reduction in nitric oxide generation.KEY WORDS: Oroxylum indicum, DNBS, colitis, rats     

Hypoglycemic and anti-lipemic effects of the aqueous extract from Cissus sicyoides

Background

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that can be successfully treated with a mixture of fumaric acid esters (FAE) formulated as enteric-coated tablets for oral use. These tablets consist of dimethylfumarate (DMF) and salts of monoethylfumarate (MEF) and its main bioactive metabolite is monomethylfumarate (MMF). Little is known about the pharmacokinetics of these FAE. The aim of the present study was to investigate the hydrolysis of DMF to MMF and the stability of MMF, DMF and MEF at in vitro conditions representing different body compartments.

Results

DMF is hydrolyzed to MMF in an alkaline environment (pH 8), but not in an acidic environment (pH 1). In these conditions MMF and MEF remained intact during the period of analysis (6 h). Interestingly, DMF was hardly hydrolyzed to MMF in a buffer of pH 7.4, but was rapidly hydrolyzed in human serum having the same pH. Moreover, in whole blood the half-life of DMF was dramatically reduced as compared to serum. The concentrations of MMF and MEF in serum and whole blood decreased with increasing time. These data indicate that the majority of the FAE in the circulation are metabolized by one or more types of blood cells. Additional experiments with purified blood cell fractions resuspended in phosphate buffered saline (pH 7.4) revealed that at concentrations present in whole blood monocytes/lymphocytes, but not granulocytes and erythrocytes, effectively hydrolyzed DMF to MMF. Furthermore, in agreement with the data obtained with the pure components of the tablet, the enteric-coated tablet remained intact at pH 1, but rapidly dissolved at pH 8.

Conclusion

Together, these in vitro data indicate that hydrolysis of DMF to MMF rapidly occurs at pH 8, resembling that within the small intestines, but not at pH 1 resembling the pH in the stomach. At both pHs MMF and MEF remained intact. These data explain the observation that after oral FAE intake MMF and MEF, but not DMF, can be readily detected in the circulation of human healthy volunteers and psoriasis patients.     

Cardiovascular effect of Artemisia herba alba aqueous extract in spontaneously hypertensive rats

This study aimed to evaluate the hypotensive activity of Artemisia herba alba aqueous extract (AHAE) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). AHAE was lyophilized and administered daily at a dose of 150 mg/kg for 20 days. AHAE administration produced a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure after 8 days of oral administration (P < 0.01), and a sustained reduction was observed at the end of treatment (P < 0.01). Heart rate remained unchanged during the 20 days of oral AHAE administration. In addition, AHAE administration produced a significant increase in urinary output (P < 0.01) and glomerular filtration rate (P < 0.01) on day 8 of treatment. Urinary electrolyte excretion was also modified during the 20 days of AHAE administration, and a significant increase in urinary sodium and potassium excretion was observed from day 4 (P < 0.01) to day 20 (P < 0.001). However, urinary chloride excretion was increased from day 8 (P < 0.01) to the end of treatment (P < 0.001). The hypotensive effect appeared to be independent of the renin-angiotensin system since AHAE did not affect plasma angiotensin-converting enzyme or renin activities (P > 0.05) after 20 days of oral administration. We conclude that AHAE possesses antihypertensive activity in SHR and that the underlying mechanism appears to involve, at least in part, an increase in urine and electrolyte output.     

Hypoglycemic activity of Ziziphus mauritiana aqueous ethanol seed extract in alloxan-induced diabetic mice

Ziziphus mauritiana Lamk. (Rhamnaceae) is a fruit tree that has been used as folkloric medicine for many ailments and diseases. In the present study, the hypoglycemic effect of seed extract of Ziziphus mauritiana in alloxan-induced diabetic mice was assessed. Seed extract was administered orally at doses of 100, 400, and 800?mg/kg body weight (bw) and also in combination with glyburide (800?mg/kg seed extract and 10?mg/kg glyburide) to different groups of mice (normal and alloxan-treated diabetic mice). Their blood glucose level (in acute and sub-acute study), body weight, and mortality rate were monitored. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was also performed. Oral administration of extract alone or in combination with glyburide reduced the blood glucose level in all the diabetic mice after acute and sub-acute (28 days) administration. Administration of the extract reduced the weight loss and mortality rate during the sub-acute study. The results of blood glucose level, loss in body weight, and mortality rate were more pronounced in the group treated with combination (800?mg/kg seed extract and 10?mg/kg glyburide). The extract also augmented the glucose tolerance in both normal and diabetic mice. These results suggest that the extract possesses synergistic hypoglycemic activity.     

Hypoglycemic effect of methanolic extract of Musa paradisiaca (Musaceae) green fruits in normal and diabetic mice

Diabetes mellitus is a debilitating hormonal disorder in which strict glycemic control and prevention of associated complications are of crucial importance. This study was designed to evaluate the hypoglycemic effect of methanolic extract of mature, green fruits of Musa paradisiaca (MEMP) in normal (normoglycemic) and streptozotocin (STZ)-treated, diabetic (hyperglycemic) mice, using chlorpropamide as the reference antidiabetic agent. MEMP (100-800 mg/kg p.o.) induced significant, dose-related (p < 0.05-0.001) reductions in the blood glucose concentrations of both normal and diabetic mice. Chlorpropamide (250 mg/kg p.o.) also produced significant (p < 0.01-0.001) reductions in the blood glucose concentrations of normal and diabetic mice. The results of this experimental study indicate that, in the mammalian model used, MEMP possesses hypoglycemic activity. Although the precise mechanism of the hypoglycemic action of MEMP is still unclear and will have to await further studies, it could be due, at least in part, to stimulation of insulin production and subsequent glucose utilization. Nevertheless, the findings of this experimental animal study indicate that MEMP possesses hypoglycemic activity, and thus lends credence to the suggested folkloric use of the plant in the management and/or control of adult-onset, type-2 diabetic mellitus among the Yoruba-speaking people of South-Western Nigeria.     

Hypoglycemic and antioxidant effects of Rheum franzenbachii extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

The hypoglycemic and antioxidant effects of ethanol extract from the roots and rhizomes of Rheum franzenbachii Münt. (Polygonaceae) were evaluated in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Effects of repeated oral administration of ethanol extract (125, 250, and 500?mg/kg body weight) on the plasma glucose level (PGL), oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) in diabetic rats were examined. It was found that administration of ethanol extract (125, 250, and 500?mg/kg) produced a significant fall in PGL, AUC, and MDA, while elevating the GSH levels and SOD and CAT activities in diabetic rats. The dose of 500?mg/kg was identified as the most effective dose, with a decrease of 65.8 and 44.0% in PGL and MDA, and elevation of 72.6, 75.0, and 51.5% in GSH level and SOD and CAT activities, respectively, after 14 days of ERF administration in diabetic rats. Moreover, the OGTT studies showed a maximum reduction in PGL and AUC. From the active extract of Rheum franzenbachii, two stilbenes, desoxyrhapontigenin (1) and desoxyrhaponticin (2), were isolated as major constituents. The present study concludes that the ethanol extract of roots and rhizomes from Rheum franzenbachii had significant hypoglycemic and antioxidant effects.     

Effect of Azadirachta indica (Neem) leaf aqueous extract on paracetamol-induced liver damage in rats

The effect of aqueous leaf extract of Azadirachta indica (A. indica) was evaluated in paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Liver necrosis was produced by administering single dose of paracetamol (2 g/kg, p.o.). The liver damage was evidenced by elevated levels of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT) and by histopathological observations of liver sections. Aqueous A. indica leaf extract (500 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly (P < 0.01) reduced these elevated levels of AST, ALT and gamma-GT. Paracetamol induced liver necrosis was also found to be reduced as observed macroscopically and histologically.     

魔芋精粉的降血糖作用

目的：研究魔芋精粉的降糖作用。方法：以不同剂量魔芋精粉ｉｇ正常小鼠和四氧嘧啶糖尿病小鼠,连续１０ｄ后,葡萄糖氧化酶法测定正常小鼠的空腹血糖、糖耐量试验以及四氧嘧 啶糖尿病小鼠的血糖尿病小鼠的血糖,以放射免疫法测定血清胰岛素。结果：魔芋精粉有降低正常小鼠血糖作用,呈一定量效关系趋势;且具有改善小鼠糖耐量作用,能明显降低四氧嘧啶糖尿病小鼠血糖,但因清胰岛素水平无明显影响。结论：魔芋精粉可能是通过影响糖代     

Reproductive evaluation of aqueous crude extract of Achillea millefolium L. (Asteraceae) in Wistar rats

The present study was conducted to evaluate the toxicity of the exposure to the aqueous extract from leaves (AE) of Achillea millefolium L. on reproductive endpoints in Wistar rats. Adult male rats were treated daily with yarrow extract (0.3, 0.6 and 1.2 g/kg/day) during 90 days by oral gavage. Endpoints including reproductive organ weights, sperm and spermatid numbers as well as sperm morphology were evaluated. No clinical signs of toxicity were detected over the treatment period, and body weight gain was similar in all groups. A significant increase in the percentage of abnormal sperm in the group treated with the highest dose of yarrow extract was detected with no other important changes in the other reproductive endpoints studied in the male rats. Furthermore, a possible estrogenic/antiestrogenic activity of the yarrow extract screened after a 3-day treatment of immature female rats which did not show any uterotrophic effects.     

Mechanisms responsible for the vascular effect of aqueous Trigonella foenum-graecum leaf extract in diabetic rats

Background and Objective:

Since a beneficial vascular effect of aqueous leaf extract of Trigonella foenum-graecum (TFG) has previously been reported, this study was conducted to evaluate the underlying mechanisms, including the role of nitric oxide (NO) and cyclooxygenase pathways, in diabetic rats.

Materials and Methods:

Male Wistar rats were divided into control, extract-treated control, diabetic, and extract-treated diabetic groups. Diabetes was induced by a single i.p. injection of streptozotocin (STZ; 60 mg/kg). Treatment groups received TFG extract (200 mg/kg; ip.) every other day for 1 month. Contractile reactivity of the thoracic aorta to KCl and noradrenaline (NA) and relaxation response to acetylcholine (ACh) were determined. For determination of the participation of NO and prostaglandins in the relaxation response to ACh, aortic rings were incubated for 30 min before the experiment with N-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and/or indomethacin (INDO).

Results:

The diabetic state significantly increased the maximum contractile response to KCl and NA (P < 0.01-0.005) and reduced the maximum relaxation due to ACh (P < 0.01) as compared to controls and treatment with TFG extract in the diabetic group significantly improved these changes relative to the untreated diabetic group (P < 0.05). With L-NAME pretreatment, no significant difference between diabetic and extract-treated diabetic groups was found out. On the other hand, there was a significant difference between these two groups following INDO pretreatment (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:

Intraperitoneal administration of aqueous leaf extract of TFG for one month could improve some functional indices of the vascular system in the diabetic state and endothelium-derived prostaglandins are essential in this respect.     

Hypolipidaemic effect of crude extract from Carpobrotus rossii (pigface) in healthy rats

Carpobrotus rossii (CR) was used by the Aboriginal population and early European settlers both as a food and therapeutic agent. Based on the presence of flavonoids in CR and results from our previous in vitro investigations, this study aimed to determine whether consumption of CR crude leaf extract: (a) affected lipoprotein profile, resting glucose, systolic blood pressure and vascular function, and (b) produced toxic effects (haematological measures, organ weight) in healthy rats. Male Hooded-Wistar rats (∼230 g) were supplemented for 4 weeks with CR extract in their drinking water (35 mg/kg body weight daily). CR extract produced a significant decrease (18%, p = 0.033) in atherogenic lipoproteins (but not high density lipoprotein). CR supplemented animals showed no signs of haematological toxicity and body and organ weight, daily fluid and food consumption and in vitro vascular responsiveness were similar for both groups. CR also increased (40%, p = 0.049) the renal concentration of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric acid (HMG), consistent with HMG-containing CR flavonoids being bioavailable, and therefore possessing the potential to interfere with cholesterol synthesis pathways. CR extract appears to be safe to ingest and may reduce cardiovascular risk.     

Beneficial effect of Citrus limon peel aqueous methanol extract on experimentally induced urolithic rats

Context: Citrus limon (L.) Burm.f. (Rutaceace) is a commonly available fruit variety with high medicinal and industrial values.

Objective: Lemon peel (LP) extract was studied as a potent preventive and curative agent for experimentally induced hyperoxaluric rats.

Materials and methods: Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analyses and toxicity study were performed for aqueous methanol LP extract. Twenty-four Wistar rats were segregated into four groups. Group 1: Control; Group 2: Urolithic (ethylene glycol (EG) – 0.75%); Group 3: Preventive study (EG?+?LP extract administration from 0th to 7th week); Group 4: Curative study (EG?+?LP extract administration from 4th to 7th week). Animals received LP extract daily by oral administration (100?mg/kg body weight) for 7 weeks.

Results and discussion: GC–MS analyses revealed that compound 6 was abundant in the LP extract (32%) followed by compound 1 (～21%). The LD₅₀ value of LP extract was found to be >5000?mg/kg of body weight. Urolithic rats showed significantly higher urinary calcium and oxalate (4.47?±?0.44 and 18.86?±?0.55?mg/24 h, respectively) excretion compared with control and experimental rats. Renal function parameters like urea (84?±?8.5 and 96.1?±?3.6?mg/dL), creatinine (1.92?±?0.27 and 1.52?±?0.22?mg/dL), and urinary protein (2.03?±?0.02 and 2.13?±?0.16?mg/24 h) were also reduced by LP extract (p?<?0.001) and corroborated with tissue analyses (SOD, catalase, and MDA levels) and histological studies in normal and experimental animals. Immunohistochemical staining of THP and NF-κB in urolithic animals showed elevated expression than the control, while LP extract suppressed the expression of these proteins.

Conclusion: In conclusion, lemon peel is effective in curing kidney stone disease and also can be used to prevent the disease and its recurrence.     

Antioxidant potential of aqueous extract of Phyllanthus amarus in rats

Objective:

Increased levels of oxidative stress may be implicated in the etiology of many pathological conditions. Protective antioxidant action imparted by many plant extracts and plant products make them promising therapeutic drugs for free radical induced pathologies. In this study we assessed the antioxidant potential of Phyllanthus amarus (Euphorbiaceae).

Materials and Methods:

Experimental rats were divided into two groups: Control and Phyllanthus amarus (P. amarus) treated. Treated rats received P. amarus aqueous extract (PAAEt) at a dose of 200 mg/kg body wt/day for 8 weeks. After the treatment period of 8 weeks lipid peroxidation (LPO), vitamin C, uric acid and reduced glutathione (GSH) were estimated in plasma and antioxidant enzymes: Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were also assayed. Genotoxicity of PAAEt was assessed by single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) of lymphocytes under both in vitro and in vivo conditions. The protective role of PAAEt against hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), streptozotocin (STZ) and nitric oxide generating system induced lymphocyte DNA damage was also assessed by SCGE.

Results:

PAAEt treated rats showed a significant decrease in plasma LPO and a significant increase in plasma vitamin C, uric acid, GSH levels and GPx, CAT and SOD activities. SCGE experiment reveals that PAAEt was devoid of genotoxicity and had a significant protective effect against H₂O₂, STZ and nitric oxide (NO) induced lymphocyte DNA damage.

Conclusion:

The results suggest the non-toxic nature of PAAEt and consumption of PAAEt can be linked to improved antioxidant status and reduction in the risk of oxidative stress.