Investigation into Iron Chelating and Antioxidant Potential of Melilotus officinalis in Iron Dextran Induced Iron Overloaded Sprague Dawley Rat Model.

Excess of iron leads to generates free radicals, causes organ damage. Melilotus officinalis (Fabaceae) reported to have various pharmacological activities. It contains flavonoids and phenolic compounds which have iron chelating and antioxidant property. Hence, present study was designed to investigate the beneficial effects of different fractions of M. officinalis for the management of iron overload disease and its complications. Iron overload was induced by 6 IP injections of iron dextran (12.5 mg/100 g) uniformly distributed over the period of 30 days. The different fractions of M. officinalis were given orally and Deferoxamine (DFO) subcutaneously for 30 days. The iron chelating and various biochemical parameters were estimated on 15th and 30th day. The different fractions of M. officinalis demonstrated dose dependant in-vitro iron chelating ability. There were significant (P<0.01) iron chelating potential shows in rats treated with methanolic fraction of methanolic extract (MFME) and methanolic fraction of aqueous extract (MFAE) of M. officinalis as compared to disease control (DC) rats. The rats treated with MFME and MFAE of M. officinalis shows significant (P<0.01) antioxidant and vital organ protective effect as compared to DC rats. Better iron chelation was observed on 30th day and at higher dose (300 mg/kg) as compared to 15th day and at lower dose (150 mg/kg). The present study concludes that MFME and MFAE of M. officinalis have reversible iron chelating and antioxidant potential in rats. The study also proves the possible mechanism of action, as an iron chelator by increasing the excretion of iron in urine and feces.