Phytochemical analysis and hepatoprotective activity of Raphanus sativus var. sativus in Sprague-Dawley rats

Purpose: To determine the phenolic and flavonoid contents of R. sativus rhizome ethanol extract and the hepatoprotective effect of the extract in rats. Methods: Folin–Ciocalteau and aluminum chloride colorimetric tests were used to determine the contents of phenols and flavonoids in the R. sativus extract. Male Sprague-Dawley rats induced with CCl4 to develop hepatotoxicity were treated orally with R. sativus extract for 4 weeks. The  antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of the extract on the liver were determined by evaluating the concentration of oxidative analytes, serum liver enzymes and lipids, and hepatic histopathology and cytochrome P450 2E1 expression. Results: R. sativus extract significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the hepatotoxic effect of CCl4 via its antioxidant activities and protection of liver tissues from oxidative damage. Conclusion: The hepatoprotective effects of R. sativus rhizome ethanol extract are attributed to its highphenolic and flavonoid contents. Keywords: R. savitus rhizome, Phenols, Flavonoid contents, antioxidant, Hepatoprotective