Abstract

Sonchus arvensis is used as salad, vegetable and as a human diet in Pakistan, traditionally used in the treatment of various ailments. This study was designed to investigate the mathanol extract of S. arvensis was evaluated against CCl₄-induced adrenal oxidative stress in rat. The extract was administered to rats after 48 h of CCl₄ treatment (3 ml/kg b.w., 30% in olive oil) twice a week for 4 weeks. CCl₄ induction in rats caused reduction of antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD, GST, GSR, GSH-Px, and QR) while increased lipid peroxidation (TBARS) which are significantly (P<0.01) reversed by mathanol fraction of S. arvensis (CAT, SOD, GST, GSR, GSH-Px, and QR) enzymes. It is inferred that S. arvensisefficiently protects adrenal injuries induced by CCl₄ in rats, possibly through antioxidant effects of bioactive compounds present in the fraction.

Key words: Sonchus asper, adrenal gland, antioxidant enzymes, carbon tetrachloride, glutathione reduced (GSH), thiobarbituric acid (TBARS).

Abbreviation

CAT, Catalase; SOD, super oxide dismutase; GST, glutathione-S-transferase; GSR, glutathione reductase; GSH-px, glutathione peroxidases; QR, quinone reductase; GSH, glutathione reduced; TBARS, thiobarbituric acid.