Abstract:
The present study tested the effect of the crude methanolic extract of
Peperomia pellucida (L.) HBK on some antioxidant and redox enzyme activities.
Twenty-five rats were divided into five groups that received different treatments.
After each rat was sacrificed, the liver was obtained to estimate the antioxidant
(superoxide dismutase, SOD, and catalase, CAT) and redox (thioltransferase, TT, and
thioredoxin reductase, TrxR) enzymes by spectrophotometry. The physiological state
of the liver was examined by histopathological analysis. The crude methanolic extract
of P. pellucida (400 mg/kg bwt and 800 mg/kg bwt after trichloroethylene, TCE,
administration) increased antioxidant enzymes activities (SOD and CAT) while redox
enzymes (TT and TrxR) activities were greatly decreased. The most effective dose in
this study was found out to be 400 mg/kg bwt of P. pellucida. This finding was
supported by lesser incidence of fibrosis and necro-inflammation in the
histopathological analysis of liver subjected under such dosage thus, making its effect
comparable to that of the positive control. Based on this result, it can be concluded
that the crude methanolic extract of P. pellucida (400 mg/kg bwt) has potent
antioxidant activity because of its ability to elevate SOD and CAT and lower TT and
TrxR activities under oxidative stress induced by TCE administration.
