Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Properties of Vicia cracca Against Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Oxidative Stress in Mice

Abstract

Background and purpose: Vicia cracca (Papilionaceae) has 45 species in Iran. Vicia spp. are known medicinal plants. Some species in this family are well known with distinctive antioxidant activity. This investigation was designed to evaluate the antioxidant activities and hepatoprorective properties of V. cracca in mice. Materials and methods: The aerial parts were extracted by maceration method using methanol as solvent. Antioxidative capacity was assessed by utilizing three different methods: DPPH, nitric oxide (NO) free radicals scavenging, and reducing power. Hepatoprotective activity was evaluated in 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg in CCl4 induced oxidative toxicity. Also, the levels of serum ALT, AST and ALP and hepatic glutathione were measured. Results: Total phenolic content was 17.2 ± 0.9 mg GAE and flavonoid content was 9.78 ± 0.25 mg QE. In DPPH radical scavenging activity, the IC50 value was 1.98 ± 0.25 mg ml-1. The extract showed good reducing power activity indicating significant difference with that of the positive controls (P< 0.05). The extract increased liver glutation content and decreased ALT, AST and ALP levels in mice serum. These effects were dose dependent. The results of histopathology showed a significant decrease in inflammation and necrosis in liver tissues. Conclusion: The findings clearly indicated moderately good antioxidant capacities and potent hepatoprotective properties of the Vicia cracca extract.

Keywords

• vicia cracca
• antioxidant
• phenol
• flavonoids
• hepatoprotection
• glutathion
• hepatic enzymes
• ccl4