Protective effect of Rubia cordifolia on lipid peroxide formation in isolated rat liver homogenate.

Rubia cordifolia Linn. (Rubiaceae) is an important component of the ayurvedic system of medicine. It has a variety of uses such as blood purifier, immunomodulant, antiinflammatory and anti-PAF. In this report the anti-peroxidative property of the solvent free alcoholic extract of R. cordifolia has been studied in rat liver homogenate. It prevents the cumene hydroperoxide induced malondialdehyde formation in the dose and time dependent manner. This effect is accompanied by the maintained reduced glutathione level even in the presence of above toxin.