Abstract

Phytochemical investigation of the crude ethanol extract of the leaves of Schinus polygamus (Cav.) Cabrera (Anacardiaceae) results in isolation of eight compounds identified as triterpenoids, 3-O-acetyllupeol (I), βeta-sitosterol (II), lupeol (III). In addition to the polyphenols, gallic acid (IV), methyl gallate (V), quercetin-3-α-O-rhamnoside (VI), kaempferol (VII) and quercetin (VIII). In Egypt, degenerative diseases in general and toxic hepatitis in particular remain a serious public health problem. The hepatoprotective, curative and anti-oxidant properties of the major phytochemicals, compounds III and IV isolated from leaves of S. polygamus were investigated. Liver damage was induced by CCl₄ (1 mlkg^-1); a well-known toxicant and exposure to this chemical is known to induce oxidative stress and causes tissue damage by the formation of free radicals. Silymarin (25 mgkg^-1) and vitamin E (7.5 mgkg^-1) were used as standard drugs to compare hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of the phytochemicals, respectively. Oral administration of 50 to 100 mgkg^-1 body weight of compounds III and IV were significantly protected from CCl₄ induced elevation in aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in adult male albino rats. The antioxidant effect in the liver was estimated by measuring the activity of antioxidant enzyme reduced glutathione. Detection of gallic acid and lupeol in S. polygamus as a member of family Anacardiaceae support the claim that both compounds could be considered as chemotaxonomic markers for plants belong to family Anacardiaceae. Results of the present study strongly reveal that both compounds III and IV have potent antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects against CCl₄-induced hepatic intoxication.

Key words: Schinus polygamus (Cav.) Cabrera, Anacardiaceae, triterpenes, phenolics, hepatoprotective, antioxidant effect.