ABSTRACT
Phyllanthus amarus, a widely used medicinal plant in traditional medicine, is known for its diverse pharmacological activities, including antioxidant properties. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is a colorless, non-flammable liquid that has a faintly perceptible, "sweet" chloroform-like odor. By causing oxidative stress, the chemical molecule carbon tetrachloride severely damages the liver and causes certain cardiovascular diseases. This study was aimed to investigate the potential of ethanol extract of Phyllanthus amarus leaves in mitigating cardiac oxidative stress. The levels of several biomarkers of oxidative stress, including glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, reduced glutathione, nitric oxide and malondialdehyde, were altered in the wistar rats used in this study after they were given CCl4. CCl4 was administered to induce cardiac oxidative stress by reducing the levels of catalase, glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, reduced glutathione, and increasing the levels of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide and total protein concentration before ethanol extract of Phyllanthus amarus were administered. In contrast to the normal control group, the Phyllanthus amarus ethanol extract-administered groups had increased levels of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and a decreased level of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide and total protein concentration in response to the induction of CCl4. Therefore, evidence supporting the efficiency of an ethanol extract of Phyllanthus amarus leaves in the reduction of myocardial oxidative stress is provided.
