Planta Med 2011; 77 - PF72
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1282460

Antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of Tragopogon porrifolius methanolic extract

M Mroueh 1, C Daher 2, M El Sibai 2, C Tenkerian 2
  • 1School of Pharmacy, Lebanese American University, PO Box 36, Byblos, Lebanon
  • 2School of Arts and Sciences, Natural Sciences Department, Lebanese American University, PO Box 36, Byblos, Lebanon

Tragopogon porrifolius L. (Asteracea), commonly known as purple salsify, is cultivated for its edible root and shoot. The present study investigates the in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activity of the methanolic extract of the aerial part of T. porrifolius as well as its protection against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents, were assessed using the Folin-Ciocalteu and the aluminum chloride colorimetric methods and found to be 37.1mg/g GAE and 16.6mg/g QE respectively per gram dry weight of the extract. The FRAP assay showed an antioxidant activity of 744µmol Fe2+/g. In vivo, the extract (50, 100 and 250mg/kg body weight) exhibited a dose dependent increase in the activity of liver antioxidant enzymes. The highest dose used increased the activity of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) by 222, 149 and 68% respectively. T. porrifolius extract also showed substantial hepatoprotective capacity against CCl4-induced hepatic injury by restoring the activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) to normal levels at 250mg/kg body weight dose. These findings suggest that T. porrifolius methanolic extract possesses antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity and can be used to prevent liver disorders.

Acknowledgement: Mr. Jean Karam.

References: 1. Tawaha K et al. (2007) Food Chem 104: 1372–1378.

2. Chandra T et al. (1987) Fitoterapia 58: 23–31.