The aim of the present work is to evaluate aqueous extract of Dioscorea deltoidea rhizome and its callus for possible antioxidant and hepatoprotective potential. Antioxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated by using Diphenyl picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging. Hepatoprotective activity of the extracts was investigated by D-galactosamine induced liver damage model in rats [1,2]. The extracts demonstrated a significant dose dependent antioxidant activity comparable with ascorbic acid. D-galactosamine significantly increased the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin and tissue TBARS levels. Pretreatment of the rats with aqueous extract of rhizome and callus of D. deltoidea (200mg/kg p.o) inhibited the increase in serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, total bilirubin and tissue TBARS levels. The inhibition was comparable with silymarin (25mg/kg p.o). D-galactosamine induced significant decrease in tissue glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), serum protein level, and serum albumin. Pretreatment of the rats with aqueous extract of rhizome and callus of D. deltoidea (200mg/kg p.o) showed significant increase in tissue GSH, SOD, CAT, serum protein, and serum albumin level. The present study revealed that D. deltoidea rhizome and its callus have significant antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity.
Acknowledgements: The financial support from the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), New Delhi, India is duly acknowledged.
References: [1] Keppler D, Lesch R, et al. (1968) Exper Mol Path, 9: 279–290. [2] Najmi AK, Pillai KK, et al (2005)J of Ethnopharmacol, 97: 521–525.
