Protective effect of methanolic and flavonoid-rich leaf extracts of Synsepalum dulcificum (Danielli) on lead-acetate-induced toxicity in Wistar albino rats

ABSTRACT

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