Nigerian Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Antioxidant activity and toxicological implications of the aqueous extract of Azanza garckeana fruit pulp in female wistar rats

Quadri O. Nurudeen — 2024-04-12

This study examined the antioxidant activity as well as the safety profile of Azanza garckeana aqueous extract in female Wistar rats. Following the random distribution of 28 female Wistar rats (mean weight = 159.25 ± 3.32 g) into four (4) groups labelled (A-D) containing seven rats (animals) each, a daily administration of 0.5 mL distilled water was orally given to the rats in group A, while the aqueous extract of A. garckeana fruit pulp were given orally at 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg to rats in groups B, C and D respectively for 21 days. Some antioxidant activities as well as kidney and liver function indices were examined on the rat using established methods. All liver function indices assayed for showed no significant (p > 0.05) difference in comparison to the control. The concentration of liver enzyme revealed no significant (p > 0.05) difference in liver alanine aminotransferase, liver aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase and liver alkaline phosphatase at 500 mg/kg in comparison to the control group. Conversely, all kidney functions indices show significant increase (p < 0.05) following extract administration, indicating potential effects on kidney function. Significant decrease (p< 0.05) was observed in the level of kidney and liver reduced glutathione and kidney malondialdehyde while kidney and liver superoxide dismutase as well as liver malondialdehyde significantly increased (p<0.05). Overall, aqueous fruit pulp extract of A. garckeana shows no damaging effect on liver indices at the investigated dosage. However, it may have a significant side effect on the kidney due to the biochemical alterations observed in the kidney function indices at the investigated dosages.

Evaluation of the acute and sub-acute toxicity of Azanza garckeana aqueous leaves extract in wistar rats

Maryam Ibrahim — 2024-04-12

his study evaluated the safety profile of Goron Tula (Azanza garckeana) aqueous leaves extract (AGALE) in rats through single and 28-day oral administrations. Twenty-eight (28) adult male Wistar rats (120-160 g) were used for acute and sub-acute studies. Acute study was carried out in 2 phases using modified Lorke’s method, AGALE was administered at single doses of 10, 100 and 1,000 mg/kg (n=3) and observed for 24 h for mortality or toxicity signs, while for phase II, 4 rats (n=1) were used and respectively administered with doses of 800, 600, 400 and 200 mg/kg body weight of the aqueous extract and also observed for mortality and signs of toxicity. For the sub-acute study, AGALE was administered once daily for 28 days at 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg while the vehicle was administered to control (n = 4). The results revealed that mortality was recorded at 1000 mg/kg in phase I of the acute toxicity study. In phase II, mortality was recorded at 600 and 800 mg/kg doses. The LD₅₀ of AGALE in rats was determined to be 490 mg/kg b.w. The oral administration of AGALE for 28 days showed significant decrease in the levels of the electrolytes in the 50 mg/kg treated group. Histological examination of the kidney showed mild toxicity related abnormalities. There was no significant alteration in the liver function indices. Histopathology of the liver showed significant amount of immunological cells. Haematological parameters evaluated showed that there was significant increase (P < 0.05) in white blood cells, monocytes and lymphocytes. This study demonstrates that the LD₅₀ of AGALE in Wistar rats is 490 mg/kgAGALE extracts may not exert toxic effects at doses less than 150 mg/kg.

Ranferon-12 tonic mitigates haematological abnormalities in cyclophosphamide-treated rats

Azubuike I. Okafor — 2024-04-12

Cyclophosphamide (CPA) has anticancer property with many side-effects including haematotoxicity while ranferon-12 tonic (RFT) possesses haematinic effect. This study investigated the mitigating effects of RFT on haematotoxicity in CPA-treated rats. Twenty-four animals were grouped into four (n=6) and treated orally as indicated: Group A: (Control) received 0.4 mL of physiological saline (PS) for 7 consecutive days; Group B: (CPA) received 0.4 mL of PS for 7 days followed by a single intraperitoneal dose of CPA (200 mg/kg) on the 7th day; Group C: (RFT) received RFT at 0.029 mL/kg for 7 days; Group D: (RFT+CPA) received RFT at 0.029 mL/kg for 7 days followed by a single intraperitoneal dose of CPA on the 7th day. Twenty-four hours after the final treatment, the animals were weighed, anaesthetised and sacrificed. Blood was obtained via cardiac puncture and transferred to EDTA and plain tubes for further analysis. Result showed that a single dose of CPA (200 mg/kg) significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the level of white blood cells, haemoglobin, red blood cells, packed cell volume, and platelet (values >36%). Additionally, the body temperature was significantly (p<0.05) elevated by 5.1 %. Furthermore, decreased levels of superoxide dismutase and catalase with a concomitant rise in MDA content were observed. All these alterations were mitigated; to some extent, in animals pre-treated with RFT prior to CPA-administration. The study suggests that RFT could mitigate haematotoxicity in CPA-administered rats by suppressing oxidative stress via modulation of haematopoietic factors, which in turn promotes haematopoiesis.

Activity of Paullinia pinnata leaf fractions on bacterial isolates associated with treatment-failure wounds

Oluwatoyin A. Adeyemo-Salami — 2024-04-12

The current surge of multidrug resistant infections has led to many cases of treatment failure in clinical practices. This has necessitated the search for new drugs from natural sources which could be used to curb this menace. Paullinia pinnata (Linn.) leaves are deployed traditionally for the treatment of various ailments such as malaria and the treatment of wounds. The essence of this study is to assess the antibacterial potential of P. pinnata leaf fractions on four antibiotic-resistant bacteria isolated from treatment failed wounds. The n-hexane and ethyl acetate fractions were obtained from the methanol extract of the leaves of P. pinnata by the one-solvent system fractionation. The antibacterial capacity of the fractions was determined by the agar well diffusion method and gentamicin (30 µg/mL) was the control. Clinical isolates of two Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus) and two Gram-negative (Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus vulgaris) bacteria were used. The fractions showed no activity to moderate activity at lower concentrations. The ethyl acetate fraction showed bacteriostatic activity in a dose-dependent manner and was better than that of n-hexane, and could therefore be a good drug target for antimicrobial therapies, especially for wound treatment.

Modulation of cadmium induced haematological and renal damages by ethanol leaf extract of Pterocarpus mildbraedii in male Wistar rats

Edet O. Akpanyung — 2024-03-30

The leaf of Pterocarpus mildbraedii is a popular vegetable in Nigerian ethnomedicine, where it is applied in the management of various disorders. This study was carried out to investigate the ameliorative potential of ethanol leaf extract of P. mildbreadii on cadmium induced haematological and renal damages in male Wistar rats. The leaf extract and the toxicant were administered orally to four groups of rats at doses of 400 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg body weight respectively for 14 days. Indices of renal function (serum urea, creatinine, sodium and potassium) and haematological parameters were analyzed using standard methods. Cadmium caused a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the concentrations of urea, creatinine, sodium and potassium. It also caused a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in haematological parameters such as Hb, HCT, RBC, MCV, MCHC, lymphocytes and platelets while the levels of WBC, neutrophils and monocytes increased compared to control. Ethanol leaf extract of P. mildbreadii reversed the cadmium induced alterations in haematological and renal indices. Histological observation of the kidney tissue revealed abnormal histological architecture in animals intoxicated with cadmium. Animals treated with leaf extract of P. mildbreadii did not show any damage in histology of the kidney tissue. These results suggest the ameliorative potentials of leaf extract of P. mildbreadii on haematological and renal disorders in the rats.