In-Vivo Antioxidant Activity of Hibiscus plantifolius Stems

Objective: Hibiscus plantifolius is a shrub with various medicinal uses and belongs to the Malvaceae family. The present study is aimed at determining in vivo antioxidant activity of MEHP using the paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity test in rats. Methods: The animals were randomly divided into 7 experimental groups and administered with test solutions. Rats were divided into seven groups and received 10% DMSO (negative control), Paracetamol (2 gm/kg bd. wt.), Silymarin (10 mg/kg bd.wt.) or 50mg/kg MEHP (50, 150 and 300 mg/kg) orally once daily for 7 consecutive days. The oral administration of paracetamol was performed 3 hours after the last extract administration on the 7th day. The blood and liver tissues were collected and subjected to biochemical and microscopical analysis. Results: In this study, it was observed that MEHP extract significantly (p<0.05) increased hepatic SOD and CAT activities in paracetamol-induced liver damage in rats. The antioxidant activity was exhibited due to presence of flavonoids and tannins, phenolic compounds which was present methanolic extract of Hibiscus plantifolius. Conclusion: The antioxidant activity was exhibited due to presence of flavonoids and tannins, phenolic compounds which was present methanolic extract of Hibiscus plantifolius.