Protective Effect of Adhatoda vasica on D-galactosamine Induced Liver Damage in Rats with Reference to Lipid Peroxidation and Antioxidant Status

The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the lipid peroxidation and antioxidant nature of aqueous extract of Adhatoda vasica (AEAV) on D-galactosamine (D-GalN) induced hepatic damage in wistar albino rats. Hepatic damage was induced by intraperitonial injection of DGalN (500 mg/kg, bw) for 2 days. AEAV extract (350 mg/kg, bw) was given orally for 21 days before the induction of hepatic damage. The levels of lipid peroxides (LPO) under basal and also in the presence of inducers (H₂O₂, ascorbate and FeSO4) were estimated in liver of control and experimental animals. enzymic such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and non-enzymic antioxidants like glutathione (GSH), vitamin C (vit C) and vitamin E (vit E) and total thiols (TSH) levels were determined in all the groups of animals. A significant increase in LPO levels were observed while the levels of enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidant were decreased, in D-GalN induced rats. These altered enzyme levels were ameliorated significantly in AEAV pretreated animals. This protective effect of AEAV was associated with inhibition of LPO induced by D-GalN and to maintain the antioxidant enzyme levels. From this study it is concluded that the pre-treatment of AEAV has an antioxidant activity against D-GalN induced hepatic damage.