Study on antioxidant potential of Murraya koenigii leaves in Wistar rats

The antioxidant activity of Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng (Family: Rutaceae), leaves was investigated in male wistar rats. Potassium dichromate was used to induce oxidative stress. The traditional medical literature describes its potential role as a source of many vitamins, flavonoids, phenols and domestic remedy for many human disorders. The whole plant is considered to be tonic, antidiarrhoeal, febrifuge, blood purifier and as stomachic. In the present study animals were divided into four groups Group I (Control), Group II (Potassium dichromate), Group III (Murraya koenigii + Potassium dichromate) and Group IV (Murraya koenigii). in vivo antioxidant activity of Murraya koenigii inhibited the toxicity of potassium dichromate. The GSH content in liver (1.79 +/- 0.019) and kidney (1.967 +/- 0.013) of Group IV rats significantly (p < 0.05) increased whereas, hepatic malondialdehyde content in liver (2.44 +/- 0.29) and kidney (2.34 +/- 0.057) was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced as compare to control. However, Chromate significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the reduced glutathione (GSH) content and increases hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) content in both liver and kidney as compared to control. Further post treatment with Murraya koenigii (Group III) significantly (p<0.05) increase the GSH content in liver (1.54 +/- 0.013) and kidney (1.27 +/- 0.011) as compared to Group II whereas, hepatic malondialdehyde content in liver (4.24 +/- 0.71) and kidney (3.86 +/- 0.038) was significantly (p<0.05) reduced as compare to Group II(Potassium dichromate) These results clearly indicate that Murraya koenigii leaves have significant potential as a natural antioxidant agents.