Protective Effects of Hot Water Extracts from Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) Petals on Paraquat-Induced Oxidative Stress in Rats

Abstract

The protective effects of hot water extracts from safflower petals (Ex) against paraquat (PQ)-induced oxidative were examined in rats. Ex significantly relieved decreases in food intake and body weight gain, and increase in lung weight which were induced by the administration of the paraquat diet. Ex also relieved increases in liver TBARS, and decreases both in the catalase activity in liver mitochondrial fraction and the level of liver triacylglycerol in the PQ-fed rats. These results indicate the possibility that Ex acts preventively against oxidative stress.