부산대학교 도서관

Background: The leaves of Croton zambesicus (CZ) Muell Arg. (Euphorbiaceae) are used as a spice for food and in traditional medicine for the management of several disease conditions, including hypertension and diabetes. The study was carried out to determine the cardioprotective effects of CZ leaf extract and n-butanol fraction on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) -induced toxicity. Male albino rats were treated for 5 days with CZ extract, n-butanol fraction, and ascorbic acid. Materials and Method: On day 6, CCl4 was administered subcutaneously for 3 days to rats in Groups II-VII and treated concurrently for 3 days with aqueous leaf extract of CZ, n-butanol fraction, and ascorbic acid. Serum levels of cardiac function markers, creatine-kinase myocardial band (CK-MB) fraction, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were evaluated. Antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), oxidized GSH (GPx), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were also determined. Results: Aqueous leaf extract and n-butanol fraction significantly (P < 0.05) decreased serum concentration of CK-MB and LDH. In addition, there was a significant (P < 0.001) increase in activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GSH, and GPx) with a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the concentration of MDA. Conclusion: Results from this study revealed the aqueous leaf extract of CZ attenuated toxic effects of CCl4 on the heart and thus found to have a protective potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]