Abstract

Bark of Bauhinia purpurea tree was collected and both the water and methanol extracts were prepared. Both extracts were tested for free radical scavenging activities and phenol content. Water extract was then tested for its protective potentials against alcohol induced toxicity. For this experiment, twenty rats were randomly divided into four groups, alcohol control group, normal control and two experimental groups. The rats in alcohol control group received alcohol (5 g/kg), rats in normal control were given water. Rats in two experimental groups were administered two doses of methanol extract (50 and 100 mg/kg respectively) plus alcohol (5 g/kg) for 30 days. At the end of the experiment, rats were killed after ether anesthesia. Liver and blood samples were collected for biochemical measurements. Parameters measured were thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase, reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase and ascorbic acid. Results showed that both methanol and water extracts scavenged free radicals equivalent to gallic acid scavenging and were found rich in total phenol content. Results of in vivo experiments showed that the water extract inhibited lipid peroxidation, protected the experimental animals from hepatic toxicity and maintained the levels of antioxidants in dose dependent manner.

Key words: Lipid peroxidation, anti-oxidants, glutathione, ascorbic acid.