Analytical,antioxidant and hepatoprotective studies on extracts of Oxalis corniculata Linn

Despite a number of traditional medicinal uses and pharmacological properties,the usefulness of oxalis corniculata linn. (family: oxalidaceae) is a question due to its high oxalate content which can form insoluble salts with physiological calcium. therefore,the present study aimed to reduce oxalates in extracts and to investigate such extracts chemically and biologically. the extraction was carried out using different solvents and methods,and analytical studies of extracts indicated that oxalate contents decrease on drying the material. furthermore,extraction of both fresh and dried materials using 1% aqueous calcium chloride and ferric chloride solutions resulted in lowering oxalate contents. methanolic extracts of stems and leaves having lower oxalates were obtained using sequential extraction,which showed good in vitro antioxidant activity - by dpph and β-carotene linoleate models - and in vivo hepatoprotective activity in isoniazid and rifampicin-induced oxidative stressed rats (p < 0.05). it was concluded that methanolic extracts of leaves and stems of oxalis corniculata had lower oxalates and showed promising antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities.