The Effect of Diospyros lotus on Liver Glutathione Level in Mice Administered by Senecio vulgaris Extract

Background and Glutathione is one of the main antioxidants in animals which can protect against hazardous oxidative substances. Diospyros lotus consisted of antioxidants such as flavonoids and naphthoguinones which can influence the glutathione levels. On the other hand, Senecio vulgaris is expected to change the glutathione level, because of possessing toxic and oxidative compounds called pyrrolizidine alkaloid. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of Senecio vulgaris extract on the glutathione level and the protective effect of Diospyros lotus plant. At the beginning, the plants Senecio vulgaris and Diospyros lotus were extracted. Then, the selected six groups of mice (n=5) were administered by the extracts and the liver glutathione levels were measured separately and coincidently through spectrophotometry method. This study showed that the extract of Diospyros lotus plant significantly increased the level of glutathione (P<0.001) compared with that of the control group but senecio vulgaris decreased the amount of glutathione (P<0.001). But, Senecio vulgaris decreased the glutathione level (p<0.001). According to the increased level of glutathione (P<0.05) compared to the groups exposed to Senecio vulgaris, the plant Diospyros lotus extracts showed more protective effects. The results revealed the protective effect of Diospyros lotus plant extracts. It is believed that the protective mechanism against toxic compounds is contributed to the existence of antioxidative substances including flavonoids and naphthoguinones in Diospyros lotus, that protect the liver against toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloid compound found in Senecio vulgaris.