Curative effects of aqueous extract of sweet bell pepper (<i>Capsicum annuum</i> l.) fruits against lead induced oxidative stress

Abstract

Lead is a heavy metal which poses environmental and occupational hazard to the populace due to its extensive use in developing countries like Nigeria. This study was aimed at evaluating the curative effects of aqueous extract of Capsicum annuum L. fruits on Lead induced oxidative stress in wistar rats. Lead acetate was administered to rats for 4 weeks and subsequently treated with 125mg/kg, 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg of the aqueous extract for 4 weeks. The results showed significant (p> 0.05) difference in the malondialdehyde concentration in all the groups except the extract control group (E-c). Activities of glutathione reductase, reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase and catalase were reduced in the lead control group (L-c) compared to the treated groups. The deleterious effect of lead was ameliorated in the groups treated with 500mg/kg aqueous extract and the vitamins treated group. It is thus concluded that the aqueous extract amiliotrated the oxidative damage caused by lead in rats.