Paederia Foetida Protects Liver Against Hepatotoxin-Induced Oxidative Damage

Abstract

The plant Paederia foetida has traditionally been used for medicinal purposes, though its mechanisms of beneficial effects have remained largely unknown. To understand the anti-hepatotoxic effects of this plant, we initially induced in vitro oxidative stress by Fenton reaction (FeSO +H O ) in the rat liver whole 4 2 2 homogenate. Co-incubation of rat liver homogenate with the ethanol extract of Paederia foetida leaves significantly decreased the oxidative stress, as indicated by the reduced lipid peroxide (LPO) levels (by 40%). This phenomenon was then confirmed by in vivo animal study where the extract was orally administered to rats for 21 successive days. We evaluated its potential effectiveness against in vivo carbon tetrachloride (CCl )-induced hepatic lesions and oxidative stress in male Sprague Dawley rats. As expected from the in vitro 4 results, the oral administration of the extract ameliorated the in vivo CCl -induced hepatic LPO levels, 4 determined by the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs). The CCl -induced increase in serum enzyme 4 activities (GPT, GOT, ALP) and bilirubin level were also significantly reduced. The beneficial effects were pronounced with dosages used. The results revealed that the ethanol extract of Paederia foetida afforded significant dose dependent protective and antioxidant effects in CCl -induced hepatic damage in rats. 4