Volume :
4
Issue :
2
Abstract :
The antioxidant effect of the ethanolic extract of Enicostemma axillare, an indigenous ayurvedic medicinal plant used in India, was studied in rats with fructose-induced cardiac diseases. Rats were divided into four groups: Groups 1 received Normal feed with water. Groups 2 received Fructose treated (The oral administration of 10g of fructose/ 100ml of distilledv water/kg body weight for 21 days), Groups 3 received Fructose and low dose of Enicostemma axillare (150mg/ kg B.wt.)].Groups 4 received Fructose and high dose of Enicostemma axillare treated [oral administration of fructose (10g/ 100ml distilled /kg b. wt) and Enicostemma axillare (250mg/ kg B.wt.)]. For 21 days. The results showed significantly elevated level of serum and tissue thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, and significantly lowered activities/levels of antioxidants such as, catalase, glutathione-S-transferase and reduced glutathione in fructose -treated rats compared with control rats. Administration of ethanolic extract of Enicostemma axillare to rats with fructose -induced liver injury significantly decreased the levels of serum and tissue thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and significantly elevated the activities of catalase, glutathione-S-transferase and reduced glutathione in the tissues compared with unsupplemented fructose -treated rats. These findings suggest that ethanolic extract of Enicostemma axillare has a modulatory effect on fructose -induced hepatotoxicity in rats.