HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF ASPARGUS RACEMOSUS ROOT EXTRACT ON LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE INDUCED OXIDATIVE STRESS IN RATS

Lipopolysaccharide (endotoxin) produces an inflammatory condition leading to multiple organ failure. LPS most potent bacterial products is used for induction of host oxidative stress responses and liver injury. Present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of Asparagus racemosus Willd. root extract in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced oxidative stress in rats by measuring oxidative stress markers, nitric oxide, liver function test and cytokines. The obtained data showed that LPS administration significantly reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), total cholesterol (TC) and albumin (ALB). There was significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA), cytokines activity, serum aspartate transaminase(AST), alanine transaminase(ALT), alkaline phosphate (ALP), total bilirubin (TB) and nitric oxide(NO). The methanolic extract of Asparagus racemosus (MEAR) administration significantly (P<0.05) reduced LPS-induced oxidative stress by normalizing liver GSH, SOD, CAT, MDA, NO, cytokines and liver function markers. MEAR significantly increased ALB and TC level. Our results suggest that MEAR protects the liver against liver toxicity induced by LPS.