Antioxidative Activity of Melia azedarach Linn Leaf Extract

The antioxidant activity of the melia azedarach was investigated in rats with ethanol-induced erythrocyte damage. Chronic administration of ethanol (20% w/v, 2 g/kg.p.o.,daily for four weeks) increased the level of lipid peroxidation (LPO), decreased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase and reduced the content of glutathione (GSH). The concurrent treatment of ethanol-administered rats with melia azedarach (500mg/kg, p.o.) prevented the above ethanol-induced changes and the effect was compared with combination of vitamin E and C. It can therefore be suggested that the leaves of melia azedarach posses an erythrocyte protective activity against drug-induced oxidative stress.