Vol. 7, Issue 2, Part F (2025)

Oxidative stress plays a key role in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) by producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) that damage cell components. Pterolobium hexapetalum Roth, a medicinal plant from traditional Indian systems, has been studied for its potential antioxidant properties. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and cardioprotective effects of P. hexapetalum leaf extracts using an in vitro model that mimics in vivo conditions, with goat liver slices exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative stress. Leaves of P. hexapetalum were collected, authenticated, and successively extracted with petroleum ether, chloroform, acetone, ethanol, and water. Preliminary phytochemical screening was conducted, followed by in vitro antioxidant assays, including enzymatic (superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT]) and non-enzymatic (vitamin C) antioxidants in H2O2-stressed goat liver slices. Free radical scavenging was evaluated via the DPPH assay. The ethanolic extract showed the highest yield (12.5%) and contained alkaloids, glycosides, phenolic compounds, and flavonoids. In the liver slice model, ethanolic extract (100 μg/mL) significantly increased SOD (from 2.1±0.2 to 4.5±0.3 units/mg protein), CAT (from 15.2±1.1 to 28.4±1.5 μmoles H2O2/min/mg protein), and vitamin C (from 45.3±2.4 to 78.6±3.1 μg/g) levels compared to H2O2-treated controls (p< 0.05). DPPH scavenging showed an IC50 of 883.24 μg/mL, similar to vitamin C (741.20 μg/mL). P. hexapetalum ethanolic leaf extract demonstrates strong antioxidant activity, restoring enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants in oxidatively stressed liver tissues, indicating cardioprotective potential. This supports its traditional use and calls for further in vivo studies to validate its role in CVD management.