pH Dependent Prevention of Carbon tetrachloride–Induced Lipoperoxidation in Rats by Ethanolic Extract of <i>Hibiscus rosasinensis</i> Petal

Abstract

The ability of high (6.73) and low (5.02) pH solutions of lead acetate precipitate of H. rosasinensis petal anthocyanin extract to prevent carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) induced lipid peroxidation in rats has been investigated using plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) level as an index of the process. Relative to its value in the plasma of CCl₄ treated extract-free rats, the high pH form (pH 6.73; blue pigment) of the resolubilized precipitate significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the level of malondialdehyde in the plasma of rats to which it was administered prior to CCl₄ treatment. When compared with CCl₄ – treated, extract-free rats, statistically significant (P<0.05) reduction in the level of MDA was also observed in the plasma obtained from rats treated first with the low pH form (pH 5.02; red pigment) of the resolubilized precipitate before CCl₄ exposure. These data suggest that H. rosasinensis petal partially purified anthocyanin extract may be protective against carbon tetrachloride-induced lipoperoxidation.

Key Words: Lipoperoxidation, carbon tetrachloride, Anthocyanin, Hibiscus rosasinensis, Malondialdehyde