Study II on Chrozophora oblongifolia Aerial Parts: Assessment of Antioxidant Activity, Hepatoprotective Activity and Effect on Hypothalamic-gonadal Axis in Adult Male Rats

Objectives: The present study aimed at the investigation of antioxidant activity, hepatoprotective activity in addition to the effect on hypothalamic-gonadal axis in adult male rat of total methanolic extract and different fractions of Chrozophora oblongifolia aerial parts. Methods: Antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH spectrophotometric method, Hepatoprotective activity was evaluated using CCl4 induced liver damage method by measuring serum marker enzymes, SGOT, SGPT and total bilirubin. The effect on hypothalamic-gonadal axis in adult male rats was estimated by measuring serum level of testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone and leutinizing hormone by immune enzymatic assay kit using ELISA reader. Results: The methanol fraction showed highest antioxidant activity followed by total extract and ethyl acetate fraction concentrate, while the methylene chloride and n-hexane fractions showed lowest antioxidant activity. The total methanolic extract in addition to ethyl acetate and methanol fractions exhibited significant decrease in SGOT and SGPT enzymes and total bilirubin, indicating their effectiveness in protecting the liver normal functional status. The total methanolic extract of aerial and fruit parts, each showed marked increase in serum level of total testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone and leutinizing hormone, when administered orally for 28 successive days compared to control group. Conclusion: Total methanol extract of the aerial parts of Chrozophora oblongifolia has significant antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities. Also extract of aerial parts including fruits has increased rat serum level of gonads, suggesting Chrozophora oblongifolia, as a valuable biological source of drugs enhances fertility.