Hepatoprotective potential of isolated flavonoids from Trapa natans L. against the paracetamol induced oxidative stress in rats

Abstract

Overdose of paracetamol causes liver toxicity, due to oxidative stress by the reactive oxygen species (ROS) that increases the levels of ALT and AST, and reduces the level of the antioxidant enzymes. Flavonoids are a source of natural antioxidants that assist in neutralization of ROS. Several studies have suggested that flavonoids can help protect the liver. The Water Chestnut, Trapa natans L. plants have long been used in the traditional system of medicine and possess considerable antioxidant potential. In this study, we tried to isolate flavonoids from T. natans L. and evaluate the hepatoprotective potential of the isolated compound. We isolated flavonoids from the extract of the aerial part of plant and characterized by UV, IR, NMR and Mass spectroscopy. The isolated flavonoid was induced orally once a day (30 mg/kg). The test drug (isolated compound) could lower the elevated levels of serum enzymes such as glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (AST), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total bilirubin. Silymarin (30 mg/kg) was taken as a standard drug that exhibits significant hepatoprotective activity against the paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity model in Wistar albino rats. The histopathological study of rat liver also strengthens biochemical evaluation analysis. Based on the experimental results, it can be concluded that the isolated flavonoids act as hepatoprotective agents in rats.