ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant effect of aqueous Lawsonia inermis leaf extract on aluminum-induced oxidative stress and the histology of the pituitary gland of adult Wistar rats. METHODS: Thirty-five adult male Wistar rats weighing between 100-196g and 15 mice of the same weight range were included in the study. Lawsonia inermis extracts and aluminum chloride (AlCl3) were administered for a period of three weeks to five rats per group. The subjects in Group 1 (control) were given pellets and distilled water. Group 2 received 60mg/kg/d of aqueous extract of Lawsonia inermis. Group 3 was given 0.5mg/kg/d of AlCl3. Group 4 was administered 0.5mg/kg/d of AlCl3 and 60mg/kg/d of aqueous Lawsonia inermis extract orally. Group 5 received 0.5mg/kg/d of AlCl3 and 75mg/kg/d of aqueous Lawsonia inermis extract orally. Group 6 was given 0.5mg/kg/d of AlCl3 and 100mg/kg/d of aqueous Lawsonia inermis extract orally. Group 7 was administered 0.5mg/k/d of AlCl3 and 5mg/Kg/d ascorbic acid in distilled water orally. Twenty-four hours after the last administration, the animals were weighed, sedated with chloroform, and had their pituitary glands located, removed, and weighed on an electronic analytical balance. RESULTS: Decreased cell counts were observed in the pituitary gland micrographs of the Wistar rats given 0.5mg of aluminum chloride, whereas the Wistar rats given 0.5mg of aluminum chloride and varying doses of Lawsonia inermis had increased dose-dependent cell counts. CONCLUSION: Aqeuous Lawsonia Inermis leaf extract increased the cell counts of the pituitary glands of adult male Wistar rats, in addition to alleviating aluminum-induced oxidative stress.
