Ameliorating Effect of Various Fractions of Rumex hastatus Roots against Hepato- and Testicular Toxicity Caused by CCl(4)

Effect of methanolic extract of Rumex hastatus roots (MRR) and its derived fractions, n-hexane (HRR), ethyl acetate (ERR), chloroform (CRR), butanol (BRR), and aqueous extract (ARR), was studied against carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) induced hepato and testicular toxicity in rats. Intraperitoneal dose of 20 percent CCl(4) (0.5 ml/kg bw) was administered twice a week for eight weeks to a group of rats. Other groups were given CCl(4) and various fractions of R. hastatus roots (200 mg/kg bw). CCl(4) treatment depleted glutathione contents and activities of antioxidant enzymes while increased the concentration of lipid peroxides (TBARS) along with corresponding DNA injuries and histopathological damages. Supplementation with various fractions of R. hastatus roots (200 mg/kg body weight) attenuated the toxicity of CCl(4) in liver and testis tissues through improvement in the serological, enzymatic, and histological parameters towards the normal. Posttreatment of R. hastatus roots (200 mg/kg body weight) also reversed the alteration in reproductive hormonal secretions and DNA damages in CCl(4) treated rats. The results clearly demonstrated that R. hastatus treatment augments the antioxidants defense mechanism and provides the evidence that it may have a therapeutic role in free radical mediated diseases.