Investigation of Antioxidant activity of Butea monosperm barks

The objective of this study was to investigate the antioxidant activity of Butea monosperma barks against Paracetamol induced acute hepatotoxic model. Butea monosperma barks were dried in shade, powdered with help of mechanical grinder and extracted with methanol. Preliminary phytochemical study shows the presence of Alkaloids, Carbohydrates, Tannins, Amino acids and Flavanoids. The methanolic extract of Butea monosperma (MEBM) showed a significant dose dependent (250 mg and 500 mg/kg p.o.) antioxidant activity. The degree of antioxidant activity was measured by using serum biochemical parameters like hepatic antioxidant enzymes like SOD, CAT, GSH and LPO. MEBM at a dose level of 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg produce significant (P<0.001) antioxidant activity by decreasing the level lipid peroxidation activity (LPO), while it significantly increased the levels of Reduced Glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Catalase activity (CAT) in a dose dependent manner. The effect of MEBM was comparable to that of standard drug Silymarin.