Study of Some Antioxidant Parameters in Mice Livers Affected with Urtica pilulifera Extracts

Abstract

Urtica pilulifere extracts were found to exhibit an antioxidant effect on mice. The effect of two doses of aqueous methanolic extract and other two doses of petroleum ether extract of different plant parts was studied in liver homogenates of the animals. The parameters studied were protein, glutathione reduced form, lipid peroxidation levels as well as the activities of glutathione transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Methanolic extracts induced greater effect on the measured antioxidant parameters. Among all plant parts, the methanolic extract of the herb showed the best effect; where the antioxidant activity enzymes were elevated and the lipid peroxidation was decreased. In conclusion, Urtica pilulifera can be used as natural antioxidant, as a possible food supplement or used in pharmaceutical industry.