Prevention of CCl4 induced adrenal oxidative stress in rat by Sonchus asper

Sonchus arvensis is used as salad, vegetable and as a human diet in Pakistan, traditionally used in the treatment of various ailments. This study was designed to investigate the mathanol extract of S. arvensis was evaluated against CCl4-induced adrenal oxidative stress in rat. The extract was administered to rats after 48 h of CCl4 treatment (3 ml/kg b.w., 30% in olive oil) twice a week for 4 weeks. CCl4 induction in rats caused reduction of antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD, GST, GSR, GSH-Px, and QR) while increased lipid peroxidation (TBARS) which are significantly (P<0.01) reversed by mathanol fraction of S. arvensis (CAT, SOD, GST, GSR, GSH-Px, and QR) enzymes. It is inferred that S. arvensis efficiently protects adrenal injuries induced by CCl4 in rats, possibly through antioxidant effects of bioactive compounds present in the fraction.