Abstract

B. Meena, R. Anbin Ezhilan, R. Rajesh, A. Sheik Hussain, B. Ganesan, R. Anandan

We have examined the protective effect of ethanol extract of Sargassum polycystum on hepatic antioxidant status in D-galactosamine-induced hepatitis in rats. Levels of diagnostic marker enzymes [alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine phosphokinase (CPK)] in plasma, lipid peroxides, reduced glutathione and the activities of glutathione dependent antioxidant enzymes [glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione- Stransferase (GST)] and antiperoxidative enzymes [catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)] in the liver tissue were determined. Prior oral administration of S. polycystum extract [125mg/kg bodyweight/day for 15 days] considerably (P<0.05) attenuated the D-galactosamine-induced increases in the levels of diagnostic marker enzymes in plasma of experimental rats. It also demonstrated an antioxidant activity against D- galactosamine-induced hepatitis by inhibiting the stimulation of lipid peroxidation and by preserving the hepatic enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defense system at near normal. The antihepatotoxic potential of S. polycystum might be related to its antioxidant property and membrane stabilizing action.