Protective role of aqueous extract of <i>Hibiscus sabdariffa</i> (calyx) against potassium bromate induced tissue damage in wistar rats

Abstract

The protective role of aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa (calyx) against potassium bromate induced tissue damage was investigated in rat tissues (brain, kidney, stomach, spleen, heart and liver). The rats were divided into four groups. Group A was administered with 0.25 M sucrose only (base line control), Group B with 60 mg/kg body weight of potassium bromate, and Group C with 250 mg/kg body weight of extracts. Group D was administered 500 mg/kg body weight of extract. Group A and B were used as control groups, while Group C and D were the experimentals. The oral administration of potassium bromate to groups B, C and D were done eight hours before sacrifice. Lipid peroxidation was monitored by colorimetric determination of amino acid, protein and malondialdehyde level in the tissues. The organ-to-body weight ratio was taken as indication for inflammation and necrosis of the tissues investigated. The results of the test groups were statistically (p < 0.05) compared with the base line
control and the group B. There was no significant difference in the organ-to-body weight ratio in all the tissues investigated at both doses, when compared with base line control, but showed a significant decrease when compared with group B. The protein level of the tissues investigated showed a similar trend but the stomach shows significant increase in the protein level. This may be due to accumulation of the toxicant inducing protein synthesis. Amino acid level decreased significantly when compared
with the base-line control and group B. This may be due to the extract ability to reduce proteolysis. Malondialdehyde level in the test groups decreased significantly in a dose dependent manner in all tissues investigated.