Antioxidant Property of the Root of Asparagus Gonoclados Baker (Liliaceae)

The present investigation was aimed at evaluating the antioxidant potential of the alcohol and aqueous extracts of root of Asparagus gonoclados Baker by in vitro and in vivo methods. The ability of extracts to scavenge DPPH and superoxide rdaicals was evaluated by in vitro methods. In vivo evaluations were done by CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity. Hepatotoxicity was induced in Wistar rats by administration of CCl4 1.5 mL/kg i.p. following extract treatment for 15 days. Total proteins, catalase and SOD were estimated in liver and MDA was estimated in brain. The studies showed that the alcohol and aqueous extracts at dose levels of 200 and 400 mg/kg exhibited significant increase in catalase and superoxide levels (p < 0.01) in CCl4 intoxicated rats. Simultaneously, the levels of MDA in brain were significantly decreased (p < 0.01) in the extract treated groups when compared with the positive control. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the extracts was carried out to detect the presence of various phytoconstituents. HPTLC fingerprint profiles of the detected phytoconstituents were also obtained. Acute toxicity studies revealed that both the alcohol and aqueous extracts were safe up to the dose of 3000 mg/kg on oral administration.