Hepatoprotective activity of brown alga Padina boergesenii against CCl4 induced oxidative damage in Wistar rats

ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effects of brown alga Padina boergesenii (P. boergeseii) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4) induced oxidative damage and liver fibrosis in rats.MethodsTo assess the hepatic damage liver weight, the activities of TBARS level, glutathione, SOD, CAT and GP x in circulation and liver.ResultsThe group of rats induced with CCl 4 alone (2 mL/kg body weight), showed noticeable increase in the liver weight and TBARS level. Followed by, the level of antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase, Superoxide dismutase and catalase was also significantly (P <0.01) diminished. Where as, the rats pretreated with P. boergesenii (150 mg/kg body weight) modulated the CCl 4 induced liver fibrosis. The level of antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation products was found to be significantly (P <0.01) attenuated to near normal level, when compared with rats induced with CCl 4 alone. In order to assess the role of carotenoids in the relevant activity, total carotenoid content of the extract was analysed and found to be 0.59 mg / g fresh weight (FW). Further, the histopathogical studies provide a supportive evidence for this study to show the protective nature of P. boergesenii.ConclusionsThe protective role of brown alga P. boergesenii extract has confirmed its potential activity through its antioxidant sparing actions against CCl 4 i nduced free radical damage. However, the possible mechanism of hepatoprotection is rather speculative at this stage and investigations are underway to isolate and characterize the bioactive compounds from P. boergesenii.