Summary. It has been proposed that aluminium toxicity may be mediated, at least in part, by free radical generation. We have investigated the effects of aluminium lactate administration on indices of hepatic oxidant stress, and the consequences of concomitant dietary vitamin E, in male albino Wistar rats. Aluminium lactate was administered for 4 weeks, by ip injection at 10 mg aluminium/kg body weight. Groups of animals received a chow diet containing 0, 5, 15, or 20 mg vitamin E/g of food. A control group of rats received a normal chow diet, without being injected with aluminium. The rats were killed after 4 weeks, and blood and liver tissue removed for the measurement of aluminium and markers of oxidative stress. Plasma and liver aluminium levels were increased in all groups of animals receiving aluminium lactate (P < 0.01), although these levels were significantly reduced in rats receiving concomitant vitamin E (P < 0.05). Aluminium treatment was associated with significantly increased levels of hepatic reactive oxygen species (ROS) (P < 0.01) that were attenuated by concomitant vitamin E (P < 0.05). Hepatic catalase and reduced glutathione levels were both reduced in animals treated with aluminium (P < 0.05).

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The bioactive ethyl acetate and N-butanol soluble parts of an ethanolic extract of Byrsocarpus coccineus leaves was subjected to column chromatography over silica gel G (60 -120µ) and repeated purification of the flavonoid rich fraction over sephadex LH-20 eluted with methanol led to the isolation of three flavonoid glycosides identified as quercetin 3-O-α-arabinoside (I), quercetin(II) and quercetin 3-β-D-glucoside. Their structures were elucidated by 1 H and 13 C-NMR data and are reported here for the first time in this plant.

Hepatoprotective effect of the aqueous leaf extract of Andrographis paniculata was investigated against CCl4 -induced hepatic injury in rats. Significant (P<0.05) increase of serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TBL), direct bilirubin (DBL), total cholesterol (CHL), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in CCl4 intoxicated rats were restored to normal levels when treated with the extract and CCl4. Significant (P<0.05) decrease of serum levels of total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and reduced glutathione (GSH) in CCl4 intoxicated rats were restored to normal levels when treated with the extract and CCl4. The LD50 of the leaf extract was greater than 3000 mg/kg. The study demonstrated that A. paniculata possesses significant hepatoprotective effects and may be the source of lead compound in the management of liver diseases.

Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn has been reported to have a broad range of therapeutic effects. Subchronic effects of calyces aqueous extracts of H. Sabdariffa were studied in albino rats. Twenty four (24) albino rats were randomly divided into six (6) groups of four rats each. Group A, was fed with growers mesh and distilled water as control. Groups B to F were administered orally with the aqueous extract at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5g /kg body weight respectively and the treatment period was 28 days. A decreased in weights of the animals were observed at all dose levels. The activities of liver maker enzymes (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase) and direct bilirubin increased significantly (p<0.05) in comparison to the control. However, non significant (p>0.05) increase in concentrations of total protein and albumin were observed in comparison to the control. The renal indices, urea, uric acid and creatinine in the treated groups were significantly increased compared to the control but a significant decrease (p<0.001) in sodium (Na + ) and potassium (K + ) were noted in comparison to the control. Although the results revealed a dose dependant variation in the liver and renal indices, nonetheless these results suggest that high dose of calyx extracts of H.sabdariffa may be toxic to liver and kidney.

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Malaria is a global life aggressive disease caused by the Plasmodium parasite to a host after infected anopheles mosquito leading to release of free radicals which have the capacity to induce oxidative stress. This study was carried out to assess the effect of malaria parasite (Plasmodium falciparum) on some antioxidants (vitamins A, C, E and reduced glutathione) and lipid peroxidation marker (MDA) in children attending Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, Nigeria. Blood samples were collected from untreated subjects upon confirmation of Plasmodium falciparum parasitaemia using the Rapid test kit (SD Bioline Malaria Ag P.f) method. One hundred and twelve consenting subjects (72 positive and 40 negative subjects) comprising of both sexes were randomly selected. Vitamin A was determined using a method of Bassey, et al. [1] while vitamins C and E using a method of Baker and Frank [2]. Reduced glutathione and MDA were determined using methods of Patterson and Lazarow [3] and Abubakar, et al. [4] respectively. Results were analysed using SPSS version 16.0 and significance between groups was ascertained using students' T-test. Result showed that level of antioxidant vitamins (vitamins A, C, & E) and reduced glutathione (GSH) in malarial positive subjects were significantly lower (p < 0.05) compared to control subjects. Similarly, lipid peroxidation marker (MDA) were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in children with parasitaemia than in non-parasitaemia controls. The decrease in the levels of antioxidant vitamins (A, C and E) and reduced glutathione (GSH) as observed may be due toneed of antioxidants to scavenge the free radicals caused by malarial infection.