The increasing of catalase activity in dimethylbenz-α-anthracene (DMBA) induced rat treated by Hibiscus sabdariffa L extract.

The objective of the present study was to characterize the activity and expression of catalase enzymes in Hibiscus sabdariffa L (rosella) extract treated rat induced by dimethylbenz-α-anthracene (DMBA) and to evaluate the relationship between the catalase activity and histopathological characteristics of liver organ. The 25 animals were divided randomly into 5 groups: the normal group, the negative control group, and treated groups, which treated by rosella extract with variation of dose of 10, 50 and 100mg/kgBW/day for 35 days. On day36 the animals were given with DMBA in dose of 75 mg/kgBW single dose. After one week, the animals were sacrificed and the catalase activity was measured from liver homogenate by the decomposition of HO and followed directly by the decrease in absorbance at 240 nm. The expression of catalase gene was observed using RT-PCR. The results showed that treatment of rosella extract increases the activity of catalase, significantly (P<0.05). The increasing of catalase activity was found in dose dependent manner. The catalase gene expression was also found to increase in rosella extract treated groups. The histopathological observation of liver organ was found normal. Rosella extract increase the catalase activity and expression of catalase antioxidant gene. It was concluded that rosella extract increase activity and gene expression of catalase in vivo.