2004 Volume 34 Issue 3 Pages 89-94
The present investigation was undertaken to study the effect of pretreatment with the methanolic extract of Asteracantha longifolia(AL) seeds on liver antioxidant defense system during acetaminophen-induced liver damage in rats. Acetaminopheninduced liver injury was manifested by a significant increase in the levels of lipid peroxides with a concomitant decrease in the levels of enzymic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-S-transferase) and non-enzymic antioxidants (reduced glutathione, vitamin C and vitamin E). Pretreatment with AL extract reversed these alterations to near normal. Results of the study confirm that pretreatment with AL seed extract is very effective in reducing acetaminophen-induced oxidative stress suggesting its antioxidant property.