In-vivo antioxidant activity of different fractions of Indigofera barberi against paracetamol induced toxicity in rats

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the in-vivo antioxidant activity of chloroform extract fractions of Indigofera barberi (whole plant) against paracetamol induced toxicity in rats.
METHODS: For 7 days, animals were treated with chloroform extract fractions and the toxicity was induced with a single dose of paracetamol intra peritoneal injection. Group of animals pre-treated with 100 mg/kg p.o of fraction D of Indigofera barberi improved the SOD, catalase, peroxidase and glutathione levels significantly as compared to control group.
RESULTS: The results showed that the activities of SOD, catalase, peroxidase and glutathione in group treated with paracetamol are 33.6 ± 0.09, 5.5 ± 0.23, 0.131 ± 0.15 & 46.1 ± 5.81 and SOD, catalase, peroxidase & glutathione in fraction D treated group are 61.8 ± 0.07, 10.6 ± 0.16, 0.913 ± 0.23 & 87.6 ± 1.4 respectively. So, the present study revealed that fraction D of Indigofera barberi has significant in-vivo antioxidant activity and can be used to protect tissue from oxidative stress.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: From the results, fraction D of Indigofera barberi in the dose of 100 mg/kg, p.o. has improved the SOD, catalase, peroxidase and glutathione levels significantly. Based on this study we conclude that fraction D of Indigofera barberi possesses in-vivo antioxidant activity and can be employed in protecting tissue from oxidative stress.