Hepatoprotective and free radical scavenging activities of methanol extract fractions of Capparis decidua Edgew (Forssk.) (Capparidaceae)

The main objective of the study is to evaluate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities of different extracts and fractions of a Sudanese traditionally used plant, Capparis decidua Edgwe (Forssk.) (Capparidaceae). Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatotoxicity in rats, and DPPH radical scavenging activity (RSA) were the methods used to evaluate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities of this plant respectively. The rats were injected i.p. with dichloromethane and methanol 80% extracts at 250 and 500 mg/Kg body weight by the C. decidua stem. It was found that the methanol extract showed significant hepatoprotective activity when compared with control group (CCl4 group); also its liver function parameters were as effective as the positive control (Silymarin group). Fractionation of the methanol extract of C. decidua stem was applied by using dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate, n-butanol and aqueous solvents. The fractions were tested on CCl4- induced hepatotoxicity rats at dose 500 mg/kg body weight where ethyl acetate, DCM and n-butanol fractions showed significant hepatoprotective activity when compared with control group (CCl4 group); their liver function parameters were within the normal ranges as well as the standard drug group (silymarin group). DPPH radical scavenging activities (RSA) of DCM, ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions were 86, 92 and 53% respectively. These findings prove the high linkage between hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities. The aqueous fraction showed very weak hepatoprotective property, and antioxidant activity (14% RSA). Key words: Capparis decidua Edgwe (Forssk.), methanol extract fractions, hepatoprotective activity, CCl4, DPPH.