Protective effects of Ageratum conyzoides L. on erythrocytes antioxidant status induced by acetaminophen toxicity in wistar rats

Erythrocytes are more vulnerable to oxidative stress among eukaryotic cells because it contains no nucleus and cytoplasmic organelles with high haemoglobin concentration. Present study was aimed to investigate the antioxidant status of the erythrocytes during hepatotoxicity and protective effects of extracts of Ageratum conyzoides in wistar rats. Antioxidant parameters like total thiols, GSH levels, activities of G6PD, GST and SOD and oxidative damage indicator MDA level have been determined to access the antioxidant status during hepatotoxicity induced by acetaminophen (APAP) and its protection by acetone and n-hexane extracts. Significant (p<0.05) increased in MDA, GST activity and significantly (p<0.05) decreased GSH, total thiols and activities of SOD & G6PD was observed in APAP exposed group as compared to control. The pre-treatment with acetone and n- hexane extracts of A. conyzoides fallowed by APAP exposure significantly (p<0.05) increased activities of G6PD and significantly (p<0.05) reduced activity of GST and MDA levels as compare to APAP exposed group. Protective effects of extracts of A. conyzoides may be due to presence of high concentration of phenolic; flavonoids and beta-caryophyllene contents, these agents have been reported to reduce free radical generation, pro-inflammatory proteins production and induces phase II biotransformation reactions. Observation suggested that APAP exposure at high dose induces oxidative stress in erythrocytes and n-hexane extract is better in combating the oxidative stress of erythrocytes as compare to acetone extract of A. conyzoides.