Oxidative Damage and Dietary Antioxidants: the Roles of Extract and Fractions of Solanium Aethiopicum Leaves

Oxidative damage is a factor in human diseases. In this study, effects of extract and fractions of Solanium aethiopicum leaves on certain liver function indices, anti oxidative and anti-lipid peroxidation potentials were investigated. Phenols, flavonoids, antioxidative potentials, enzyme assays were determined spectrophotometrically using standardized methods. Results showed rats fed methanol extract (ME) at 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg body weight for 21 days showed significant (P<0.05) decreases in liver Malondialdehyde and cholesterol concentrations by 2.530±0.050, 1.780±0.020, 1.670±0.030, 1.480±0.040 mg/ml protein and 69.290±2.660, 46.980±2.500, 39.030±4.820, 34.650±1.660 mg/dl respectively. At these concentrations, ME exhibited significant (p<0.05) decreases in serum Gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) activity by 3.810± 0.010, 2.380 ± 0.010, 2.020 ± 0.010 and 1.190±0.010 IU/L compared with controls (3.830 ± 0.020 IU/L). Phenols and flavonoids of ME, Ethyl acetate fraction (EF) and chloroform fraction (CF) were 3.000±0.003, 2.004±0.001, 1.722±0.005Mg/g Gallic and 6.900±0.065, 7.200±0.001, 8.400±0.075Mg/g Quercetin equivalence respectively. At 300.00μg/ml, extracts and fractions scavenged hydroxyl and DPPH radicals by 46.150±0.008%, 20.190±0.002%, 17.200±0.022% and 83.770±0.001%, 97.110±0.053%, 72.490±0.002 % respectively and inhibited lipid peroxidation by 80.360±0.029%, 84.390±0.003%, and 84.040±0.008%. Results inferred that plant contains bioactive agents with anti-oxidative, anti-lipid peroxidation and hepatoprotective properties