Combinational Effect of Cajanus cajan, Silybum marianum and Andrographis paniculata on In vivo Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Activities of Carbon Tetrachloride Intoxicated Albino Rats

Aim: To evaluate the combinational activity of Cajanus cajan, Silybum marianum and Andrographis paniculata for antioxidant and hepatoprotective potential.
Place and Duration: Department of Botany, Dr. H. S. Gour University (HSGVV), Sagar, Department of Zoology, HSGVV, Sagar, between September 2012 to April 2013.
Methodology: All three plants were subjected to Hydroalcoholic extraction. Adult albino rats were taken as experimental model for evaluation of hepatoprotective activity by measuring Aspartate amino transferase (AST), Alanine amino transferase (ALT) and total protein levels while liver was dissected out for measuring Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT) and Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) level for antioxidant activity.
Results: S. marianum extract at 400 mg/kg.b.w showed better result among all three individual extracts by significantly decreasing the levels of AST and ALT (64.35 ± 8.17, 39.47 ± 5.61 U/L, respectively) and increasing the level of protein to 4.78 ± 0.41 mg/dl as compared to toxic control which is near to the value of standard drug. While the combination of the extracts showed enhanced activity as compared to that of S. marianum extract and standard drug (61.24 ± 3.7, 34.17 ± 3.21 U/L and 4.63 ± 0.22 mg/dl for AST, ALT and total protein respectively). For antioxidant activity, S. marianum increased the activity of SOD to 17.42 ± 0.63, CAT to 45.24 ± 1.84 and GPx to 21.96 ± 0.39 U/mg protein. Whereas, the combination of all three extracts in the concentration ratio of 1:1 increased the level of SOD, CAT and GPx to the near value of standard drug (18.12 ± 1.3, 44.24 ± 1.11 and 22.12 ± 0.46 U/mg protein).
Conclusion: All three plants showed potent hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity. Combinational study showed better results as compared to individual plant extracts and suggests that the polyherbal combinations may be used for enhanced activity.