Impact of Phyllanthus amarus on fragmented DNA and antioxidant activity of rats exposed to sodium fluoride

Phyllanthus amarus (Schum & Thonn) has been used regularly in a range of traditional treatments. The present study was conducted to evaluate the impact of P. amarus on antioxidant status and fragmented DNA in liver and kidney of rats administered sodium fluoride (NaF). Thirty albino rats were divided into six groups (n = 5) and were treated as follows: Group 1 (control), Group 2 received NaF only, Group 3 received NaF plus Tween 80 and groups 4, 5 and 6 were given NaF and then treated with P. amarus aqueous fraction, methanol fraction and methanol crude extract. Fragmented DNA, antioxidant status; superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH)) and malonyldialdehyde (MDA) in both kidney and liver were estimated respectively. The results showed that NaF caused a marked increased in fragmented DNA and MDA levels whereas GSH, SOD and CAT were decreased in kidney and liver tissue of NaF treated rats. However, changes to these effects were prevented by the fractions and crude extract of P. amarus in experimental rats. The study demonstrated that the P. amarus could protect the kidney and liver tissue against NaF toxicity and DNA damage.