Abstract
Andrographis paniculata is a plant herb that is used to treat various disease conditions because of its medicinal properties. This study sought to assess the antioxidant potentials of A. paniculata in vitro and evaluate its toxicological effects Wistar albino rats. Aqueous extract of A. paniculate, on which the following antioxidant assays, azino-bis-3-ethylbenzo-thiazoline-6-sulfonate radical (ABTS*), 1, 1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH*), hydroxyl radical (OH*), ferric reducing antioxidant property (FRAP) and Fe2+ chelation were carried out, was prepared. For the toxicological study, the extract was administered orally for 14 days at different doses of 5, 50, 500, and 2000 mg/kg body weight. Afterwards, the liver function markers [aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin (ALB), total and direct bilirubin], as well as kidney function markers [creatinine, urea, and uric acid] were evaluated. Results obtained from this study showed that A. paniculata extract possess antioxidant activities in vitro and also revealed that the plant extract is safe at the various doses administered as there was no record of death or any observable sign of skin pathology and also possess antioxidant properties. Therefore, aqueous extract of A. paniculata is non-toxic and could be used for medicinal and therapeutic purposes.