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Antioxidant effect of the marine algae Chlorella vulgaris against naphthalene-induced oxidative stress in the albino rats

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Abstract

Alcoholic extract of the marine algae Chlorella vulgaris was examined for its free radical scavenging effect with reference to naphthalene-induced lipid peroxidation in serum, liver, and kidney of rats. Initially, upon naphthalene intoxication (435 mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneally), the lipid peroxidation activity increased significantly (P < 0.001), and in contrast, the enzymic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase) and non-enzymic antioxidants (glutathione, ascorbic acid, and α-tocopherol) levels decreased remarkably. When the naphthalene stressed rats were treated with Chlorella vulgaris extract (70 mg/kg body weight, orally), the lipid peroxidation activity reduced significantly (P < 0.001) and the activities of both the enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidants increased reaching near control values. The minimum concentration (70 mg/l) of the extract that exhibited maximum (85%) free radical scavenging activity was chosen for the experimental study. The present results suggest that Chlorella vulgaris extract exerts its chemo-preventive effect by modulating the antioxidants status and lipid peroxidation during naphthalene intoxication.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology and Environmental Toxicology, Dr. ALM Post Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Taramani, Chennai, 600 113, Tamil Nadu, India

    K. Vijayavel, C. Anbuselvam & M. P. Balasubramanian

  2. Water Resources Research Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2540 Dole St, Holmes Hall 283, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA

    K. Vijayavel

Authors
  1. K. Vijayavel
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  2. C. Anbuselvam
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  3. M. P. Balasubramanian
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Correspondence to K. Vijayavel.

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Vijayavel, K., Anbuselvam, C. & Balasubramanian, M.P. Antioxidant effect of the marine algae Chlorella vulgaris against naphthalene-induced oxidative stress in the albino rats. Mol Cell Biochem 303, 39–44 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11010-007-9453-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11010-007-9453-2

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