Influence of Cordia myxa on chemically induced oxidative stress

Abstract

Purpose

This paper seeks to investigate Cordia myxa L. (CM) extracts as hepatoprotective agents, through their antioxidant activities.

Design/methodology/approach

Oxydative liver damage in rats was induced in Wister rats by two agents: carbon Tetrachloride (CCl₄) and thioacetamide (TA). Oxydative damage was evaluated by a measurement of aspartate transaminase (AST), glutamate transaminase (ALT) and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), in sera of the rats. Several extracts of Cordia myxa were prepared and were fed to experimental animals over a period of two weeks. Liver recovery was assessed by measuring the above hepatic enzymes and their comparison with the control group of animals. Phenolic content of the extracts was measured by Folin‐Ciocalteu reagent and was calculated as gallic acid equivalents. α,α‐diphenyl‐β‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay was used to measure antiradical activity of the extracts and it was compared with ascorbic acid.

Findings

Maximum fruit extract can be obtained by hand‐macerating the peeled fruit rich in phenolic content 11.1±1.47 mg/g gallic acid equivalent. Its antiradical activity was measured as 16.34±0.81 that was calculated as 10.0±1.24 ascorbic acid equivalent. CCl4 and TA induced comparable oxidative liver damage as measured through hepatic enzymes. A significant (p=0.05) liver recovery was noticed when animals treated with CCl4/TA were fed with CM extracts.

Originality/value

The study reports the protective role of C. myxa in chemically induced fibrosis by carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) and thioacetamide (TA).

Citation

Afzal, M., Obuekwe, C., Khan, A.R. and Barakat, H. (2009), "Influence of Cordia myxa on chemically induced oxidative stress", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 39 No. 1, pp. 6-15. https://doi.org/10.1108/00346650910930761