Antioxidant properties and effects of Justicia carnea leaf ethanolic extract on organs and atherogenic factors in healthy albino rats

Abstract

Medicinal plants are good source of antioxidant that prevents body cells against oxidative assaults. They can also occasionally act as pro-oxidant to alter biochemical pathways and organ functions. This study examines the in-vitro antioxidant properties and effects of ethanolic extract of Justicia carnea (EtJC) in normal rats’ biochemical parameters. Antioxidant evaluation was done by assessing the bioactive contents, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging ability and nitric oxide (NO) inhibition using standard procedures. Additionally, the effects oral administration of EtJC for 14 days on organs of experimental animals and possible risk of atherogenesis were assessed using standard biochemical protocols. Ethanolic extract of Justicia carnea leaf showed the presence of biologically active constituents. The extract demonstrated weak FRAP activity but appreciably inhibited DPPH and NO in concentration dependent manner with IC₅₀ value of 818.24 μg/mL and 578.77 mg/mL respectively. Administration of extract caused significant (p<0.05) decrease in alanine aminotransferases (ALT), aspartate aminotransferases (AST) and creatinine levels in experimental rats. Varying concentration of extract significantly (p<0.05) decrease triglyceride concentration while other lipid parameters were not adversely affected. Only dose at 500 mg EtJC/kg caused significant reduction in atherogenic factors. Ethanolic extract of Justicia carnea leaf could serve as an important source of antioxidant, reduce the risk of cardiovascular related disease with no deleterious effect on liver and kidney functions