After evaporation, the yields of the extracts were calculated and the residues were re-dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) [20 mg flower extract per 5 μl DMSO]. The concentration of the flower extract used for

each antioxidant assay was 100 μg. Fresh goat liver was obtained from the local slaughterhouse and transported on ice to the laboratory. The liver was quickly plunged in ice-cold ZD1839 price PBS and maintained at 4 °C till use. Thin slices (1 mM thickness) of the liver were cut using a sterile scalpel and the slices were taken in PBS at a proportion of 0.25 g in 1 ml, in broad, flat bottomed flasks. H2O2 was used as the oxidising agent to induce oxidative stress at a final concentration of 200 μM. The liver slices were treated with H2O2 both in the presence and the absence of the flower extracts (yellow, pink and orange) and incubated at room temperature for 1 h with mild shaking. After incubation, the mixture was homogenized using a Teflon homogenizer Bcl 2 inhibitor followed by centrifugation and the supernatant was used for the analysis. The treatment groups set up for the study included the untreated control containing the liver slices alone, the positive control in which the liver slices were treated with

H2O2 and the test groups in which the liver slices were treated with respective flower extracts in the presence and absence of the oxidant H2O2. Appropriate controls treated with the flower extracts in the absence of the oxidant were also set up. The SOD activity estimated by the method of Misra and Fridovich (1972).13 Catalase

activity was estimated by the method of Luck (1974).14 The peroxidase activity was assayed using the method proposed by Reddy et al (1985).15 GST activity was determined by the method of Habig et al (1974).16 Glutathione reductase activity was assayed as per the method of David and Richard (1983).17 Ascorbic acid levels were estimated based on the method of Roe and Keuther (1943).18 The tocopherol level was estimated by the method of Rosenberg (1992).19 The GSH level was estimated by the method of Moron et al (1979).20 Vitamin A content was measured by the method proposed by Bayfield and Cole (1980).21 The parameters analysed were expressed as Mean ± SD and the statistical analysis was done using SigmaStat (Version 3.1). Statistical significance was determined by one way ANOVA Farnesyltransferase with P < 0.05 considered to be significant. The levels of both enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidants were assessed in the liver slices subjected to oxidative stress in the presence and the absence of the flower extracts. The activities of enzymic antioxidants in the liver slices treated with H2O2 and/or flower extract are represented in Table 1. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) decreased significantly on treatment with H2O2 compared to that of untreated control. Treatment with the flower extracts alone showed no significant changes in the SOD activity.