Abstract
The phytochemical analysis of the ethanolic extract of branches of Cotoneaster horizontalis, Decne revealed the presence of: beta-carotene, ascorbic acid and less amounts of alpha-tocopherol and amygdalin (vitamin B-17) in proportions of: 2,500, 70, 0.093, 0.334 mg 100 g(-1), respectively. Acute oral toxicity test revealed its safety profile. In vitro study revealed its good 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging and anticancer activities. Invivo study, simultaneous administration of this extract at a dose of 100 or 200 mg kg(-1) body weight for 4 weeks, exhibited a significant protection in a dose-dependant manner against hepatotoxicity induced by repeated dose of acetaminophen (1 g kg(-1) body weight day(-1), p.o.) by preserving the liver function parameters, hepatic redox state and serum lipid profile near the healthy levels. Consequently, in vitro culture was carried out on full or half strength of Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with different concentrations of benzyl amino purine or kinetin provided shootlets production; different concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid and naphthalene acetic acid showed an increase of callus. Determination of alpha-tocopherol and amygdalin in different shootlets and callus extracts showed a pronounced increases up to 30.62 and 3.69 mg 100 g(-1) in shootlet extract, respectively as well as 26.61 and 12.71 mg 100 g(-1) in callus extract, respectively, as compared with those of the mother plant (0.76 and 0.11 mg 100 g(-1) extract, respectively).