Comparative study of the antioxidant activity of Emblica officicnalis (amla) and curcumin in rats

Abstract

The antioxidant activity of Emblica officinalis and Curcumin was investigated in rats fed with one percent cholesterol diet for a period of two months. They were divided into five groups of ten each. First group was fed a high fat diet; others one percent cholesterol diet. Group H did not receive any treatment. Animals of groups HI and IV were given Emblica officinalis at the rate of 50 and 100 mg/kg. Group V was given curcumin at the rate of 250mg/kg. The liver samples of experimental animals were analysed for lipid peroxide level, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. The blood samples were collected for serum cholesterol and routine haernatological parameters. Body weight gain in them was also looked into. There was no significant difference in the body weight gain in any of the groups. Higher level of lipid peroxide and serum cholesterol was obtained in the control groups (groups I and H) compared to the treatments. Peak mean lipid peroxide and serum cholesterol levels were noticed in group H after 60 days of experiment viz, 386.076± 16.05 nmol of malondialdehyde (MDA)/ g wet tissue and 1I2.088± 5.24 mg/dl respectively. Curcumin reduced lipid peroxidation better than Emblica where as Emblica officinalis at both dose rates reduced serum cholesterol level than curcumin. The activity of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase and catalase were lowest in group H. The peak superoxide dismutase level shown by group V was 22:090± 2.29 units/mg protein after 60 days of treatment. Emblica at 100 mg/kg and curcumin at 250 mg/kg were equally effective in inducing peak catalase levels. This showed that both Emblica and curcumin are having potent and comparable level of antioxidant property. The haematological parameters from samples of all the groups were within the normal range. The maximum total leukocyte count was noticed in group V after 30 days of treatment. After 60 days of treatment, there was no significant difference

between the groups. Variability in differential leukocyte count was noticed only. up to half way of experiment. From the study it can be inferred that both Emblica officinalis and curcumin are potent antioxidants and that their antioxidant property is comparable.