Biochemical studies of zinnia plant / Asmaa Hussien Mohamed Ahmed ; Supervised Fouad Abdelrehim Ahmed , Osama Konsowa Ahmed

Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Agriculture - Department of Agricultural Biochemistry

This study aimed to evaluate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of Zinnia elegans leaves ethanolic extract comparing with silymarine, (as standard) in rats. The data revealed scored high concentration of phenolic compounds (2.6mg/g d.w of plant), which significantly reflected an antioxidant scavening activity (88%) at 250 ppm of Zinnia elegans leaves ethanolic extract. The hepatoprotection activity of Zinnia elegans leaves ethanolic extract (50, 100 and 125 mg/100g b.w) comparing with silymarine (0.2 g/kg b.w) against CCl₄ toxicity. The ethanolic extract improved the AST and ALT activity and recovered the function of kidney by decreasing the urea and creatinine contents, the administration of Zinnia elegans leaves ethanolic extract significantly suppress the oxidative stress via its direct scavenging activity against the reactive oxygen species under oxidative stress. The results reported decreases in the MDA, H₂O₂ and NO accumulation and increase of GSH content. Finally the administration of Zinnia elegans leaves ethanolic extract have recovered the total lipids, triglycerides, cholestrol, VLDL, LDL and HDL and significantly suppress the CCl₄ toxicity via its stimulation of antioxidant enzymes (GST and SOD) activity. Liver and kidneys function as well as lipid analysis, liver antioxidant enzymes and histopathological degenerative changes in heptocytes were also monitored in the tested groups comparing with silymarin and control treatments

Issued also as CD