Chemomodulatory Effect of Diosgenin on Xenobiotic Detoxifying Enzymes and Free Radical Scavenging Activities

Considerable attention has been paid to identify potential modulators of free radical scavengers. Diosgenin, a steroidal sapogenin is tested in Swiss albino mice with 50 mg/kg body weight and 30 mg/kg body weight, per oral route based on acute oral toxicity test. Effect on mice serum glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) and serum glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT) levels were considered. Hepatic system of mice recorded significant elevation in the specific activity of Cytochrome P450 and Cytochrome b5. Increase in specific activity of GST was evident with augmentation of GSH level. Diosgewnin positively regulated the specific activity of glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Catalase levels recorded an increase with a sharp decline in lipid peroxidation. Our study has established that diosgenin is bifunctional inducers of xenobiotic detoxifying enzymes and possess significant free radical scavenging potential, providing a lead for development novel antioxidant.