Abstract

Ethanolic extract of celery (Apium graveolens) and its diet were evaluated for antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities in rats. Celery is valuable in weight loss diets and regulate lipid metabolism. Albino male rats were used to evaluate its antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities against carbon tetrachloride induced toxicity. Chromosomal aberration, sperm abnormalities, biochemical and molecular assay were used to evaluate its antioxidant activity. Liver damage was assessed by estimating biochemical parameters such as total soluble protein, DNA and RNA contents. Celery showed significant antioxidant effect by reducing chromosomal aberration, sperm abnormalities and increasing DNA bands number and pattern as the control. It also showed a significant hepatorotective effect by readjusting the toxic effect of CCL₄ on the total soluble protein, DNA and RNA contents around that of the normal.

Key words: Celery (Apium graveolens), albino male rats, carbontetrachloride, DNA and RNA contents and biochemical parameters.