ABSTRACT:In this study, we investigated the effect of orally administered crude oil contaminated diet on some biochemical parameters of wistar rat. Twenty four (24) wistar rats weighing between 125-180g were randomly grouped into four (4) of six animals each. Each group was fed with different concentrations of crude oil contaminated diet for 21days. At the end of each week, blood sample (2ml) was drawn from the median cantus vein of the eyes of the rats with the aid of a capillary tube and the plasma samples prepared for the biochemical tests. Also, one animal from each group was sacrificed and dissected every week; their livers were collected, weighed, washed with normal saline and later homogenized in a mortar and the isolate used for biochemical analysis. The results obtained showed the there was an increase in the weight of wet liver, lipid peroxidation and plasma protein concentration. Similarly, a time dependent increase in cholesterol concentration was obtained, with a significant decrease (p<0.05) in the mean body weight and percentage inhibition of superoxide dismutase. These results suggest that there was a negative alteration of the biochemical parameters examined which could have been induced by the contaminated feed they consumed. ©JASEM http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jasem.v20i4.4

Hibiscus sabdariffa is among the medicinal plants which have been shown to possess several medicinal properties. The present study was conducted to investigate the antioxidant and haematological properties of the aqueous leaf extract of H. sabdariffa on acetaminophen-challenged liver using rat model. Twenty (20) Wistar albino rats were used for this study and were divided into 4 groups of 5 rats each. Group 1 rats were the normal control; group 2 (positive control) rats were administered acetaminophen only, at a dose of 750 mg/kg b.w. ip. Group 3 rats were administered mid dose (400 mg/kg b.w) of the extract after acetaminophen-induction while group 4 rats received high dose (600 mg/kg b.w) of the extract after acetaminophen-induction. Group 2 rats showed a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the activities of the enzymes, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and vitamin C concentrations when compared with group 1 rats. However treatment with the extract caused a significant (p<0.05) increase in the activities of the enzymes, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and vitamin C concentrations when compared with group 2 animals. More so, group 2 rats treated with acetaminophen only, showed significant increase (p<0.05) in white blood cell, neutrophil and lymphocytes counts when compared with the group 1 rats. Conversely, a significant decrease (p<0.05) was observed in packed cell volume, red blood cell count and haemoglobin concentration of the group 2 rats when compare with the group 1 rats. Treatment with the aqueous extract of H. sabdariffa caused a dose-dependent significant increase (p<0.05) in the pack cell volume, red blood cell count and haemoglobin concentration of the treatment groups (groups 3 and 4) when compared with the group 2 rats. Conclusively, the results of this study suggest that H. sabdariffa possess antioxidant properties and could be potent in boasting the blood level in a disease state.

Oxidative stress and impaired antioxidant system have been implicated in the pathophysiology of diverse disease states. This research was done to investigate comparatively the possible enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant properties of ethanol extracts of Cola nitida and Garcinia kola in H 2 O 2challenged rats. Thirty (30) Wistar albino rats were used for this study and were divided into 6 groups of 5 rats per group. Group 1 rats were normal control; group 2 rats were induced with H 2 O 2 only (positive control). Group 3 and 4 were challenged with H 2 O 2 and treated with 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w of ethanol extract of C. nitida, respectively. In the same vein, groups 5 and 6 rats represented H 2 O 2-induced rats treated with 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w of ethanol extract of G. kola seed respectively. Group 2 (positive control group) rats showed a significant increase (p<0.05) in malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration compared to rats in group 1 and the treatment groups. Conversely there was a significant decrease (p<0.05) in glutathione concentration of the group when compared to rats in group 2. Group 2 showed a significant decrease (p<0.05) in vitamin C concentration compared to rats in group 1 and the treatment groups. The effects of extracts were accompanied by a significant increase (p<0.05) in the activity of endogenous antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) when compared to the group 2 (positive control group). The two extracts exhibited a significant ferric reducing antioxidant properties (FRAP) in a concentration-dependent manner. This finding indicated that the extracts could contain antioxidant and thus have potential for scavenging free radicals, hence arresting oxidative stress. This may justify their local use in management of some hepatic dysfunction and stress related conditions. However, extracts of G. kola was seen to be more potent than that of C. nitida.

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Oxidative stress and impaired antioxidant system have been implicated in the pathophysiology of diverse disease states. This research was done to investigate comparatively the possible enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant properties of ethanol extracts of Cola nitida and Garcinia kola in H 2 O 2challenged rats. Thirty (30) Wistar albino rats were used for this study and were divided into 6 groups of 5 rats per group. Group 1 rats were normal control; group 2 rats were induced with H 2 O 2 only (positive control). Group 3 and 4 were challenged with H 2 O 2 and treated with 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w of ethanol extract of C. nitida, respectively. In the same vein, groups 5 and 6 rats represented H 2 O 2-induced rats treated with 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w of ethanol extract of G. kola seed respectively. Group 2 (positive control group) rats showed a significant increase (p<0.05) in malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration compared to rats in group 1 and the treatment groups. Conversely there was a significant decrease (p<0.05) in glutathione concentration of the group when compared to rats in group 2. Group 2 showed a significant decrease (p<0.05) in vitamin C concentration compared to rats in group 1 and the treatment groups. The effects of extracts were accompanied by a significant increase (p<0.05) in the activity of endogenous antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) when compared to the group 2 (positive control group). The two extracts exhibited a significant ferric reducing antioxidant properties (FRAP) in a concentration-dependent manner. This finding indicated that the extracts could contain antioxidant and thus have potential for scavenging free radicals, hence arresting oxidative stress. This may justify their local use in management of some hepatic dysfunction and stress related conditions. However, extracts of G. kola was seen to be more potent than that of C. nitida.

This study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of Calocybe indica extract (CLE) on testosterone propionate (TP)-induced hematological changes and oxidative stress in rats. The rats were grouped into six equal groups of ten rats each as follows:(a) control, (b) TP 3 mg/kg only, (c) 3mg/kg TP+ 5 mg/kg finasteride, (d) 3 mg/kg TP+250 mg/kg CLE, (e) 3 mg/kg TP+ 500 mg/kg CLE and (f) 3 mg/kg TP+1000 mg/kg CLE. The rats were administered TP subcutaneously for 28 days to induce benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and simultaneously administered three graded doses of CLE, and finasteride as the standard drug. Hematological parameters, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzyme activities and histopathological examination of the prostate were assessed. BPH induction showed higher red blood cells (RBCs) count, haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, packed cell volume (PCV), serum prostate specific antigen (PSA), malondialdehyde (MDA) and lower white blood cell (WBC) count, lymphocyte count as well as lower catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities.  The simultaneous oral administration of CLE with testosterone injection did not significantly lower RBC count, Hb concentration and PCV but significantly lowered serum PSA and MDA. There was also a significantly higher WBC count, lymphocyte count, CAT and SOD activities. The results from this study suggest that dietary consumption of Calocybe indica, a mushroom with high antioxidant activity ameliorated BPH induced oxidative tissue damage and hematological alterations.