Antioxidant and toxicological studies of ethanolic root extract of Byrsocarpus coccineus

Abstract

Byrsocarpus coccineus (syn. Rourea coccinea) Schum. and Thonn. (Connaraceae) is used in traditional medicine to treat several ailments in which reactive oxygen species are involved. This study aims to investigate the in vivo antioxidative properties and moreover the toxicological potential of ethanolic root extract of B. coccineus (EEBc). Antioxidant activity was measured using ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and nitric oxide (NO) assays, respectively on serum and on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and moreover by quantifying malondialdehyde (MDA) in rat model ovalbumin-induced airway inflammatory. Toxicological screening was performed using single oral administration at 5000 mg/kg and sub-chronic (4 weeks) administration at 400 and 800 mg/kg to rats. Results indicated that EEBc increases antioxidant potential in the blood. EEBc significantly reduced the NO level (P < 0.05) and MDA concentration (P < 0.01). The extract at a single dose did not produce the signs of toxicity or mortality during 14 days. The sub-chronic tests showed no alterations in animals. The results did not show any biochemical and hematological abnormalities. This study shows that EEBc may be used as natural antioxidant and may help to prevent pathological conditions related to oxidative stress.