RESUMO
Aims: The protective potential of aqueous leaf extract of Launaea taraxacifolia against Cisplatin-induced hepato-renal damage in Wistar rats. Study Design: Randomized controlled experiment Place and Duration of Study: Experimental Animal Unit and Department of Anatomy, University of Ibadan between July and September, 2013. Methodology: Thirty rats were randomly divided into 6 groups of 5 rats each. Group Acontrol; Group B- cisplatin (CIS) alone; Group C and D- Launea taraxacifolia (LT) 100 mg and 400 mg respectively and Group E and F- treated with LT 100 mg and 400 mg respectively and then given CIS. Kidney and liver sections were taken for histopathological evaluations. Serum samples were taken for alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], bilirubin [BIL], total protein (TP), albumin [ALB], blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (CREAT) level assessments. The remaining tissues were processed for the assessment of biochemical markers of oxidative stress: Lipid peroxidation (LPO), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT) and Glutathione (GSH). Results: Hepatorenal histological toxicities were observed in rats exclusively exposed to cisplatin while dose-dependent ameliorations of these histopathologies were seen in those with combined exposure (Groups E and F) with the aqueous extract of Launaea taraxacifolia and virtually normal histoarchitecture was seen in extract alone treated rats. The hepatic (ALT, AST, BIL) and renal (BUN and CREAT) injury markers significantly (p<0.05) increased in groups exclusively exposed to cisplatin with less severity in cotreated (E and F) groups. The oxidative stress markers, LPO, SOD and CAT levels which were significantly elevated (p<0.05) in cisplatin exclusively exposed Group B, were not altered in other groups when compared with control. However, glutathione level significantly decrease (p<0.05) in GSH levels in kidney and liver tissues of (Group B) cisplatin alone relative to control. Conclusion: Launaea taraxacifolia provides protection against cisplatin-induced hepatorenal damage through its antioxidant activities.
RESUMO
Aims: The radioprotective effect of Telfairia occidentalis aqueous extract (TOE) against gamma irradiation induced oxidative damage and altered sperm parameters in rats. Study Design: Randomized controlled experiment Place and Duration of Study: Experimental Animal Unit and Department of Anatomy, University of Ibadan between January and April, 2012. Methodology: Male Wistar strain rats were divided into six groups and pretreated with TOE (400, 800 and 1600 mg/kg of b.wt.) and vitamin E (VE) 50 mg/kg of b.wt prior to whole body gamma irradiation exposure of 2Gy. Sections of the testes were taken for the assessments of biochemical markers of oxidative stress: Lipid peroxidation (LPO), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT) and Glutathione (GSH) and histopathological variations. Results: Exposure of animals to 2Gy gamma radiation resulted in decreased sperm characteristics and increased sperm morphological abnormalities; significant elevation in lipid peroxidation (LPO) and hydrogen peroxides, and decreased activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione-s-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) in testes; distorted architecture of seminiferous tubules from day 1 to 30 post-irradiation. The rats pretreated with TOE showed normal sperm parameters, normal testicular histo-architecture and normal antioxidant enzymatic activities. Conclusion: Aqueous extract of Telfairia occidentalis has radioprotective activities.