• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.76-82
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• 2012

Stamens of Mesua ferrea L. are a well-known herbal drug used in Indian System of Traditional Medicine to treat various diseases. The claimed activity of this plant part is necessitated to investigate antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity. Authenticated plant sample was extracted with hexane, ethanol (EtOH) and water (aq.) using ASE 100 accelerated solvent extractor. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by means of different in vitro assays. Hepatoprotective effect was investigated on carbon tetrachloride induced oxidative stress in liver slice culture model. Cytotoxic marker lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) released in culture medium and the activity of lipid peroxidation along with antioxidant enzymes (AOEs) namely superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione reductase (GR) were estimated. Hexane and EtOH extracts were significantly inhibited DPPH, NO, SOD and $ABTS^+$ radical in dose dependent manner. The trade of phenol content was: aq. extract < hexane extract < EtOH extract. A significant correlation was shown by total phenol content and free radical scavenging activity of extracts. The culture system treated with hexane extract, EtOH extract or ascorbic acid exhibited significant depletion in LDH, lipid peroxidation, antioxidative enzymes SOD, CAT and GR. Hexane extract and EtOH extracts of stamen of M. ferrea protected liver slice culture cells by alleviating oxidative stress induced damage to liver cells.