Hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of Euphorbia antiquorum

Aqueous extract of the aerial parts of Euphorbia antiquorum Linn. was evaluated for its hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity to validate its use in traditional therapeutic indications. This extract exerted significant antioxidant activity (at 20µg, 40µg, 60µg, 80µg and 100µg/ml in-vitro) as evidenced by its reducing power, hydroxyl and superoxide anion radical scavenging activities. This in vitro efficacy was reinforced by a significant dose dependent hepatoprotection (at 125 mg/kg and 250mg/kg dose) by decreasing the activity of serum enzymes, bilirubin, cholesterol, triglycerides and lipid peroxidation while it significantly increased the reduced Glutathione levels of tissue in a dose dependant manner. The Hepatoprotective and Antioxidant activities of the extract are being comparable to standards Silymarin and Sodium metabisulphite respectively. The results obtained in the present study indicate that Euphorbia antiquorum is a potential source of natural hepatoprotectives and antioxidants. The hepatoprotective property may be attributed to the antioxidant potential and the antioxidant principles of the plant. The present study justifies the claim of the native practitioner that the decoction of the plant is useful in treating jaundice.