Antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of Cyathea phalerata Mart. (Cyatheaceae)

The present study investigated the antioxidant properties of Cyathea phalerata Mart. (Cyatheaceae) using in vitro and in vivo assays. The in vitro antioxidant potential of the crude extract (CE), precipitate (PPT), aqueous fraction (AQF), n-butanolic fraction (BUF) and ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) from C. phalerata was evaluated through the scavenging of diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH), superoxide anion (O(2)(*-)) (nitroblue tetrazolium assay) and hydroxyl radicals (OH(*)) (deoxyribose assay), and lipid peroxidation in rat liver homogenate. In these assays, it was observed that EAF had marked antioxidant potential, especially as a scavenger of the OH(*) radical and in inhibiting lipid peroxidation. The in vivo evaluation of oxidative stress (DNA fragmentation, membrane lipoperoxidation and carbonyl protein formation) and the antioxidant defenses (concentration of reduced glutathione, as well as catalase and glutathione S-transferase activities) were measured in mice pre-treated with EAF (10, 30 or 100 mg/kg, orally) and later exposed to carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)). The EAF decreased thiobarbituric acid reactive substances levels, DNA damage and carbonyl protein contents, and increased catalase and glutathione S-transferase activities. Based on these results, it is concluded that the EAF from C. phalerata protects liver from oxidative stress induced by CCl(4) in mice and these effects are probably related to the antioxidant activity associated with the free radical scavenging property of this fraction.