INHIBITORY EFFECT OF ‘RHEUM EMODI WALL’ ON HEPATIC CYTOCHROME P450 ENZYMES

Abstract

Background: This study was carried out to assess the inhibitory effect of aqueous extract of Rheum emodi wall on hepatic microsomal P450 enzyme. Materials and Methods: Four groups of rats were made, comprising of 20 rats in each group. Two groups were studied for the pentobarbital-induced sleeping time and rest of the two groups were studied for the lethal effects of strychnine. Normal saline and aqueous extract of a plant ‘Rheum emodi wall’ were given to first two groups prior to intramuscular injection of pentobarbital. Sleeping time was then noted in both groups for the next two hours. Strychnine lethality was observed in the other two groups of rats in which one group received olive oil and the other group received plant extract before injecting strychnine. The rats were monitored for the next two hours to count mortalities. Results: Plant aqueous extract caused significant prolongation (p<0.001) in pentobarbital-induced sleeping time in aqueous extract treated group as compared to group receiving normal saline along with pentobarbital. Increased lethality by strychnine was observed in the group getting plant aqueous extract than the group in which olive oil was administered along with injection of strychnine. Conclusion: The increased effects of pentobarbital on sleeping time and strychnine on the lethality of rats conclude that crude aqueous extract of ‘Rheum emodi wall’ inhibits hepatic microsomal P450 enzyme.