Immunomodulatory and Inflammation-suppressive Effects of Arundo donax L. in a Hepatic Injury Model
The present study is aimed at the evaluation of protective effects of Arundo donax L. (AD) against chemical-induced toxicity in rats, especially considering its antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and hematoprotective activities. The antioxidant potential of AD extract was assessed using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydrogen peroxide scavenging, and ferric reducing antioxidant power assays. Hepatoprotective activity was evaluated in Wistar rats using carbon tetrachloride- and paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity models by estimating biochemical liver markers and histopathology. In this study, doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight were selected. AD extract exhibited strong antioxidant activity, as shown by the DPPH radical scavenging activity of 77.68% at 250 µg/mL compared to ascorbic acid at 81.15%. The treatment with AD extract at 400 mg/kg significantly restored serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase of 115 IU/L, serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase of 252.65 IU/L, and alkaline phosphatase of 229 IU/L, whereas it increased total protein to 5.06 g/dL and albumin to 2.28 mg/dL in restoring liver function. Similarly, in the paracetamol model, AD extract at 400 mg/kg improved hepatotoxicity markers, reducing bilirubin levels to 1.23 mg/dL, while increasing total protein (10.65 g/dL) and albumin (3.65 mg/dL). Hematological suppression was significantly found after cyclophosphamide administration (hemoglobin: 7.37 g%, red blood cell: 2.48 million/mm³, white blood cell: 0.71 thousand/mm³, platelets: 335.83 × 104 per mm³). The conclusion from this study can be helpful in the usage of AD as an adjuvant therapy that minimizes toxic effects of chemotherapy and improves treatment outcomes.