Hepatotoxicity and Genotoxicity of Sodium Arsenite and Cyclophosphamide in Rats: Protective Effects of Aqueous Extract of Adansonia digitata L. Fruit Pulp.

Aims: To evaluate the protective effects of the aqueous extract of the fruit pulp of Adansonia digitata (AEFAD) in sodium arsenite (SA) and cyclophosphamide (CP) induced hepatotoxicity and clastogenicity in rats. Study Design/Methodology: Fifty four male Wistar rats were distributed into nine groups (A-I) of six animals each. Group A received distilled water and normal diet, Groups B received SA at 2.5 mg/kg body weight, Group C received CP at 10 mg/kg body weight, Groups D –I received the extract alone and with SA or CP. Results: A statistically significant (P <0.05) higher levels of: mean γGT, ALT and AST activities, number of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (nMPCEs) scored in the bone marrow cells, proliferation of hepatic cells and lipid peroxidation were observed in rats exposed to (SA) or (CP) as compared with the control. Treatment with AEFAD along with SA or CP significantly (P <0.05) reduced the effects of the toxins on the above indices. Observations made with histological analysis of the liver sections revealed lesions ranging from general congestion, mild periportal cellular infiltration and hepatic necrosis to severe congestion in the treated groups. Conclusion: Findings from this study therefore reaffirmed the hepatoxicity and clastogenicity of SA and CP and revealed that AEFAD can ameliorate these toxicities in rats.

In vitro Antioxidant/ Radical Scavenging Activities and Hepatoprotective Roles of Ethanolic Extract of Cassia occidentalis Leaves in Sodium Arsenite-Treated Male Wistar Rats.

Aims: To investigate in vitro antioxidant/radical scavenging activities and hepatoprotective ability of ethanolic leaf extracts of Cassia occidentalis (COLEX) in male Wistar rats treated with sodium arsenite (NaAsO2). Study Design/Methodologies: Using four different methodologies, the anti-oxidant/free radical scavenging activities of COLEX were determined in comparison with standard antioxidants, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). For the hepatoprotection study, four groups of rats were used. Groups A: Control group given distilled water only; B: Given NaAsO2 at 2.5 mg•kg-1 bw/day (p.o.) for 2 weeks; C: Administered COLEX alone at 200 mg•kg-1 bw a day for 2 weeks (p.o.); D: Pre-treated with COLEX for 2 weeks followed by NaAsO2. The activities of the enzymes aspartate and alanine aminotransferases (AST and ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and γ- glutamyl transferase (γGT) were determined in the treated and control animals as indices of hepatotoxicity. Place and Duration of the Study: The animal treatment and analyses were carried out at Department of Biochemistry, University of Ibadan between February and June 2008. Results: At 25, 40 and 50 μg•ml-1 concentrations of the extracts or the antioxidants, the reducing power is of the order BHA > BHT > COLEX. At 50 μg•ml-1, the percentage inhibitions of peroxidation by COLEX, BHA and BHT were respectively 96.2%, 97.3% and 98.4% while percentage DPPH scavenging effect of COLEX, BHA and BHT were 62.5%, 67.5% and 61.3% respectively. The H2O2 scavenging activities were respectively 53.0%, 85.3% and 97.8% for COLEX, BHA and BHT. Pre-treatment with COLEX before administration of NaAsO2 led to significant (p < 0.05) reduction in the mean liver and serum γGT, and serum ALP and AST activities when compared with group administered only NaAsO2. Conclusion: COLEX exhibited hepatoprotective effects against NaAsO2 toxicity in male rats.

African Cassava: Biotechnology and Molecular Breeding to the Rescue.

Cassava is an important African food crop, where it is a staple to about 250 Million people. It is a household name in Nigeria, the world largest producer of the root crop. It is propagated from stem cuttings and well known for its adaptation to wide range of adaphoclimatic conditions and including those unfavourable for other crops. However cassava production, exploitation, utilization and acceptance are limited by diseases and pests, cyanogenesis, low protein content and quality, and post-harvest physiological deterioration. The breeding research activities of IITA (International Institute of Tropical Agriculture) Ibadan, Nigeria, CIAT (International Centre of Tropical Agriculture) located in Cali, Colombia and National Root Crop Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, Nigeria have transformed cassava to double as a food security crop as well as a cash and industrial crop. Of recent, Bio Cassava Plus, an initiative sponsored by Bill and Melinda Gates, has been using experimental biotechnology approaches to address several of the main constraints to African cassava. This review presents the many advantages of cassava to the small-scale farmer and its potentials for industrial applications. It also describes the roles of biotic and abiotic factors hampering the production yield, root quality, nutritional adequacy, marketability and acceptance, and commercial processes. The use of conventional breeding and biotechnology in unravelling the milieu of these constraints is discussed as well.