In vitro and in vivo antioxidant activity of Symplocos cochinchinensis S. Moore leaves containing phenolic compounds.

Methanol extract of Symplocos cochinchinensis S. Moore leaves was evaluated for its in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activity. The total phenolic content of the extract was 230 mg of gallic acid equivalents/g extract. The extract showed very good scavenging activity on 2,2-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) (IC50 620.30 ± 0.14 μg/ml), hydroxyl (IC50 730.21 ± 1.05 μg/ml), nitric oxide (IC50 870.31 ± 0.19 μg/ml) radicals, as well as high reducing power. The extract also showed strong suppressive effect on lipid peroxidation. In in vivo study CCl4 induced oxidative stress produced significant increase in SGOT, SGPT and LDH levels along with reduction in liver SOD, CAT, GSH and GPx levels. Pre-treatment of rats with the extract (250 and 500 mg/kg) for 7 days showed significant reduction in the levels of SGOT, SGPT and LDH compared to CCl4 treated rats. SOD, CAT, GSH and GPx levels were increased significantly due to treatment with the extract. The activity of the extract was comparable to the standard drug, silymarin (25 mg/kg). The results suggest that the leaves of S. cochinchinensis are a source of natural antioxidants.