In this communication, we document the
antioxidant potential of ethanolic extract of Rumex patientia L. (Polygonaceae) roots and its chemopreventive effects against
Fe-NTA mediated hepatic oxidative stress, hepatotoxicity and
tumor promotion response. The extract exhibited high polyphenolic content, potent reducing power and significantly scavenged
free radicals (including several
reactive oxygen species (ROS) and
reactive nitrogen species (RNS)). The extract also significantly and dose dependently protected against oxidative damage to
lipids and
DNA. These results indicated R. patientia root extract to exert a potent
antioxidant activity in vitro. The efficacy of extract was also evaluated in vivo and it was found to exert a potent protective affect in acute oxidative tissue injury animal model:
ferric nitrilotriacetate (
Fe-NTA) induced hepatotoxicity in mice. Administration of
Fe-NTA (9 mg/kg
body weight, i.p.) to mice led to a significant oxidative stress and allied damage in liver tissues and induced hyperproliferation. A significant depletion was observed in GSH content and
enzymes implicated in its metabolism. Attenuation also occurred in activities of other hepatic
antioxidant enzymes including SOD, CAT, and GPX.
Fe-NTA also incited hyperproliferation response elevating
ornithine decarboxylase activity and [(3)H]-
thymidine incorporation into
DNA. Histopathological investigations and liver function tests (LFT) indicated
Fe-NTA to cause extensive hepatic damage. However, prophylactic treatment with R. patientia root extract at a dose regimen of 100-200mg/kg
body weight for a week not only restored hepatic
antioxidant armory close to normal, but also significantly precluded oxidative damage restoring normal hepatic architecture and levels of hepatic damage markers. The data obtained in the present study illustrates R. patientia roots to possess potent
antioxidant and
free radical scavenging activities and thwart oxidative damage and hyperproliferation in hepatic tissues.