RESUMO
The present study aims to evaluate the protective effect of methanolic leaf extract and flavonoid-rich leaf extract ofSynsepalum dulcificum on lead-acetate-induced toxicity in Wistar albino rats. Forty-five animals were distributed intonine groups with five animals apiece. Group 1 served as the control and was given only distilled water throughoutthe course of the study. Group 2 served as the lead-induced group and was administered 50 mg/kg lead-acetate.Groups 3–8 were co-administered 50 mg/kg lead-acetate and various doses of the extracts. Group 9 was administered40 mg/kg vitamin C in addition to 50 mg/kg lead-acetate. The study lasted for 14 days. Standard procedures were usedto evaluate the hematological indices, serum total protein, urea, creatinine, as well as marker enzymes in liver andkidney of the animals. Malondialdehyde levels, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione-s-transferase activities werealso estimated in the tissues. The results showed that the extracts, especially the high doses, significantly (p < 0.05)ameliorated the harmful effects of lead administration in the liver and kidney as well as in the hematological indices.The extract could, therefore, be considered as having protective effect on lead-induced toxicity in Wistar albino rats
RESUMO
The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of the polyphenolic rich Ficus asperifolia (Miq.) leaf extract in protecting rat testes against carbon tetrachloride-induced testicular damage in male Wistar rats. Thirty rats (weighing 140 - 180 g) were divided into five groups. In each treatment groups, aqueous extract of F. asperifolia (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg bw) administered by oral gavage for 21 days before exposure to carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) 3 mL kg-1i.p. were used to test protective influence of the plant extract. Protective influence were observed on antioxidant marker enzymes such as reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malonaldehyde (MDA) and histological examination. Animal exposure to the CCl4 resulted in significant elevation in the MDA with concomitant depletion (p < 0.05) in the level of GPx, CAT and SOD activities compared with control. Daily oral administration of F. asperifolia showed beneficial and ameliorative effects in all biochemical parameter evaluated. Histopathological alteration in testes was observed in CCl4 untreated rats and was ameliorated inCCl4 rats treated with F. asperifolia. Result shows that the aqueous leaf extract of F. Asperifolia has ameliorative effect against carbontetrachloride-induced testicular toxicity.
RESUMO
Liver damage is a growing concern of today’s modern society. The increasing incidence of exposure to toxic agents has contributed to liver diseases. There is therefore need for hepatoprotective agents. This study was aimed at investigating the protective effect of aqueous extract of the leaves of Solanum macrocarpon against CCl4-induced liver damage in rats. Six groups of four animals each were used for the investigation. Group 1 served as control, groups 2, 3 and 4 animals were pre-treated with leaf extract of Solanum macrocarpon at 250mg/kg, 500mg/kg and 750mg/kg body weight respectively for 14 days prior to a single intraperitoneal administration of CCl4. Animals in groups 5 and 6 received only the extract at a dose of 750mg/kg body weight and CCl4 respectively. All animals were sacrificed 24 h after the administration of CCl4. The liver functions tests were performed in addition to their histopathological evaluation. Results obtained showed significant adverse changes in the levels of all measured parameters in CCl4 treated rats. However, pre-treatment with aqueous extract of S. macrocarpon prevented the adverse changes. Our findings suggest that S. macrocarpon protects the liver against CCl4-induced damage. This could be attributed to the presence of phytochemical compounds in the plant.