Ameliorative effects of Asparagus falcatus L. and Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash on carbon tetrachloride induced oxidative stress in mice

The hepatoprotective and antioxidative effects of two aqueous plant extracts, Asparagus falcatus and Vetiveria zizanioides, were determined against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced oxidative stress in mice. Hepatotoxicity was induced by the administration of a single intraperitonial dose of CCl4 (0.5 mL kg(-1) CCl4 in olive oil) after a 16 hrs fast. Aqueous extracts of the tubers of Asparagus and root of Vetiveria (0.9 gm kg(-1)) were used on pre and post-treatment basis. The ability of plant extracts to protect the liver against changes mediated by carbon tetrachloride confirms that plants possess anti-hepatotoxic properties against CCl4 induced liver damage. Both pre and post-treatment decreased the CCl4 mediated increase in serum enzyme activities (ALT, AST, ALP) and increased the reduced glutathione concentration in the liver. Administration of Vetiveria alone improved the GSH status significantly. Glutathione reductase and glutathione S-transferase activities were increased significantly (P < 0.05) and lipid peroxidation and activity of glutathione peroxidase were reduced significantly in the plant extract treated groups compared to the CCl4 control group. Histopathological studies provided supportive evidence for the biochemical analysis. The magnitude of hepatoprotective properties varied between the two plant extracts but the hepatoprotection mediated by Vetiveria was more potent than that of Asparagus.