Abstract

In the current study the methanolic extract of Polygonum equesitiform aerial parts was assessed for its protective effect towards carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic damaged in Sprague-Dawley rats. The hepatoprotective activity of P. equesitiform extract was investigated by calculating levels of hepatic marker enzymes of the rats: alanine amino transferase (ALT) and aspartate amino transferase (AST) together with the oxidative stress mediator levels as nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The results showed that employment of the extract at concentrations of 100 & 200 mg/kg showed significant reduce in the serum levels of the ALT and AST as well as reducing the oxidative stress mediators NO, MDA to a significant extent and increasing the level of the antioxidant enzymes GSH, GPx and SOD. These biochemical observations were supported by examination of the histopathological features of the liver. So the Polygonum equesitiform aerial parts revealed marked protective effect of the liver that may probably due to the synergistic action of its flavonoids content.

Key words: Arial parts, hepatoprotactive activity, Polygonum equesitiform, rats