Effect of Pelargonium reniforme roots on alcohol-induced liver damage and oxidative stress.

CONTEXT

Ethnobotanical surveys conducted on Pelargonium reniforme Curtis (Geraniaceae) have shown that the aqueous root extracts are used to treat alcohol-induced liver damage.

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated the antioxidant properties of the extract and its effects on alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity using Wistar rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity studies were carried out by observing the effect of the aqueous root extract on some liver marker enzymes, bilirubin, and total protein after liver damage. The levels of some phenolic compounds were determined by standard methods. Also, the reducing power of the plant extract and its ability to scavenge 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH*) and 2,2'-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS*+) radicals were determined to evaluate its antioxidant activity.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The results obtained show that the plant extract possessed significant antioxidant activity. It had a significant level of phenolic compounds, scavenged DPPH* and ABTS*+ radicals effectively, and demonstrated good reducing power. This may indicate that the plant contained compounds which can remove toxic metabolites following alcohol abuse. Serum analysis of animals treated with only ethanol showed a significant increase in the levels of liver marker enzymes and total and unconjugated bilirubin, while a significant decrease was observed in the levels of conjugated bilirubin and total proteins. Administration of the plant extract restored the levels of these markers to normal levels, and this indicates the ability of the plant extract to restore normal functioning of a damaged liver.

CONCLUSION

The study shows that P. reniforme is a potential source of antioxidants and compounds which are useful in treating alcoholic liver damage.