HEPATOPROTECTIVE AND ANTIOXIDANT EFFECTS OF TOTAL EXTRACTS AND STEREOIDAL SAPONINS OF SOLANUM XANTHOCARPUM AND SOLANUM NIGRUM IN PARACETAMOL INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN RATS

Abstract

Summary The hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of total extracts and steroidal saponins of Solanum xanthocarpum (Sx) and Solanum nigrum (Sn) on paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity and the possible mechanism involved therein were investigated in rats. The total extracts and steroidal saponins of Sx and Sn at two dose levels (100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.) and a standard hepatoprotective herbal drug silymarin (25mg/kg b.w/day p.o. for 7 days) were administered to the paracetamol (500mg/kg p.o x 7days) intoxicated rats. The degree of protection was measured by using biochemical parameters, such as, serum transaminase (SGOT and SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin and total protein estimation. Further, the effects of total extracts and steroidal saponins of Sx and Sn on lipid peroxidation (LPO), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) status were estimated. The total extracts and steroidal saponins of Sx and Sn at the above doses produced significant hepatoprotective effects by attenuating the activity of serum enzymes, bilirubin and lipid peroxidation, while they significantly increased the levels of GSH, SOD and CAT in a dose dependent manner. The effects of the total extracts and steroidal saponins of Sx and Sn were comparable to those of the standard drug, silymarin. The antioxidant effects of the compounds may be responsible, at least partly, for the beneficial effects. These compounds have provided remedial measures against the deleterious effects of toxic metabolites of paracetamol. The hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of steroidal saponins of Sx and Sn were found to be greater than those of the total extracts.