Antioxidant potential of Biophytum sensitivum extract in vitro and in vivo.

An extract of the medicinal plant, Biophytum sensitivum (L.) DC (Oxalidaceae), was evaluated for its antioxidant potential in vitro and in vivo. Biophytum sensitivum was found to scavenge superoxide radicals generated by the photoreduction of riboflavin and hydroxyl radicals generated by the Fenton reaction and inhibited in vitro lipid peroxidation at concentrations of 50, 95, and 20 microg mL(-1) (50% inhibition [IC50]), respectively. The drug also scavenged nitric oxide (IC50 = 100 microg mL(-1)). The extract also induced the dose-dependant scavenging of nitric oxide in culture. Intraperitoneal administration of Biophytum extract inhibited superoxide generation in macrophages in vivo. The administration of B. sensitivum to mice significantly increased the catalase activity. The extract produced a significant increase in glutathione levels in blood and liver. The levels of glutathione-S transferase and glutathione reductase increased and those of glutathione peroxidase decreased after administering the Biophytum extract. The results of this study indicate that B. sensitivum has significant antioxidant activity both in vitro and in vivo.