Induction of antioxidative enzyme by the ayurvedic herb Desmotrichum fimbriatum Bl. in mice.

The herb Desmotrichum fimbriatum Bl. (family: Orchidaceae), sold as Jibanti in West Bengal, is used in 'Rasayana therapy' in Ayurveda. Its effect on the modulation of the two antioxidant enzymes peroxidase and catalase has been studied in mice liver during 'cold water swim' (CWS) stress using appropriate controls. The drug, i.e. the aqueous ethanolic extract of the herb (whole plant) was found to increase peroxidase titre in the hepatic cells of normal mice. But in the stressed group, the drug displayed no effect on the peroxidase content, while it elicited an elevation of the catalase content. infinity-Tocoferol was used as the standard drug. These data suggested that the drug can ameliorate the peroxidative damage caused in mice by CWS stress.