Bark and Fruit Extracts of Gmelina arborea. Protect Liver Cells from Oxidative Stress

Abstract

The effect of Gmelina arborea Roxb. (Verbenaceae) bark and fruit aqueous extracts on paraquat- and hydrogen peroxide–induced oxidative stress was investigated using liver slice culture. Both paraquat and hydrogen peroxide were found to be cytotoxic as measured by release of lactate dehydrogenase from liver slice culture. Addition of bark and fruit extracts along with these cytotoxic agents led to a decrease in lactate dehydrogenase release. Activities of three antioxidant enzymes, namely super-oxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione reductase, were found to increase on treatment with these pro-oxidants. Addition of the plant extracts along with the pro-oxidants suppressed the enzyme activities. The extracts also displayed antioxidant activity in in vitro radical scavenging assays. Results indicate that Gmelina bark and fruit extracts protected liver slice culture cells by alleviating oxidative stress–induced damage to liver cells.

Keywords:

• Gmelina arborea. extracts
• hydrogen peroxide
• oxidative stress
• paraquat