Karunakar Hegde

A study on antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of hydroalcoholic extract of Hylocereus undatus fruits against acetaminophen and ethanol induced hepatotoxicity was conducted in experimental rats. Two doses 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg, p.o. of the extract were subjected for the evaluation of hepatoprotective potential against acetaminophen (2g/kg) and ethanol (2ml/100g) induced liver injury. Silymarin (25mg/kg) was used as a standard drug. The parameters like SGPT, SGOT, ALP, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin and endogenous enzymes were estimated to assess the liver functions. Both the lower (250mg/kg) and higher dose (500mg/kg) of Hylocereus undatus fruit extract showed dose dependent significant decrease in SGPT, SGOT, ALP, total bilirubin and direct bilirubin levels when compared with toxic control. Both the doses showed decrease in LPO and increase in GSH levels. The present study concluded that Hylocereus undatus fruit was found to be effective against hepatotoxicity induced by acetaminophen and ethanol. Further studies are needed to isolate and characterize the active principles and to find out the mechanism responsible for its hepatoprotective activity.

The present study was designed to evaluate the radio protective potency of the ethanolic extract of Aquilaria malaccensis (Agar wood) leaves by assessing the endogenous oxidant level, haematological parameters and the histopathology of liver. Extract was given orally at a dose of 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg orally for 15 days prior to exposure of Gamma radiation (2.5 Gy). The irradiated mice were kept under observation for 15 days for any sign of radiation sickness, morbidity and mortality which showed no changes. The haematological parameters showed a significant decrease in the irradiated mice and increase in the drug treated mice when compared with the control group. Radiation induced mice showed increases in the level of endogenous enzymes, when compared to normal animals. Treatment with extract caused reversal of these changes towards the normal. Histopathological changes in the liver section of treated animals showed improved cellular architecture when compared to the normal group. The present study indicates that supplementation with Aquilaria malaccensis has significant antioxidant activity and act as probable radio protector against gamma radiation induced oxidative damage. The finding of the present study provides the evidence that, alcoholic extract  of Aquilaria malaccensis may be beneficial as a potential supplement in the radiotherapy to protect normal cells from the destructive effects of radiation.