Background.Cyclophosphamide (CP) is a nitrogen mustard alkylating drug used for the treatment of chronic and acute malignant lymphomas, myeloma, leukemia, neuroblastoma, adenocarcinoma, retinoblastoma, breast carcinoma, and immunosuppressive therapy. Despite its vast therapeutic uses, it is known to cause severe cardiac toxicity. Kolaviron (KV), a Garcinia kola seed extract containing a mixture of flavonoids, is reputed for its antioxidant and membrane stabilizing properties.Objective.This study investigated the protective effect of KV on CP-induced cardiotoxicity in rats.Methods.Thirty rats were used, and they were divided into 6 groups of 5 rats each. Group I received 2 mL/kg propylene glycol orally for 14 days; group II received CP (50 mg/kg/d, intraperitoneally [i.p.]) for 3 days; groups III and IV received 200 and 400 mg/kg/d KV, respectively, orally for 14 days and groups V and VI were pretreated with 200 and 400 mg/kg/d KV, respectively, orally for 14 days followed by CP (50 mg/kg/d, i.p.) for 3 days.Results.CP treatment resulted in a significantly lower food consumption and body weight in rats. The lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase enzymes in cardiac tissues of rats treated with CP were significantly higher. In cardiac tissues, 3-day doses of CP resulted in significantly higher heart weight, cardiac troponin I, myeloperoxidase, malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide and lower superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase activities, and reduced glutathione levels. Histological examination of cardiac tissues showed sign of necrosis of myocardium after CP treatment. However, administration of KV at 200 and 400 mg/kg for 14 days prior to CP treatment, increase food consumption, body weight, and attenuates the biochemical and histological changes induced by CP.Conclusions.These results revealed that KV attenuates CP-induced cardiotoxicity by inhibiting oxidative stress and preserving the activity of antioxidant enzymes.

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The beneficial effects of kolaviron, a natural biflavonoid from the seeds of Garcinia kola, have been attributed to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. This study was designed to investigate the renoprotective effect of kolaviron in rat model of diclofenac (DFC)-induced acute renal failure. Thirty-five male Wistar rats were divided into 7 groups of 5 rats each as follows: a control group that received propylene glycol orally and treatment groups that received DFC, DFC recovery, DFC followed by kolaviron at 3 different doses, and kolaviron only. DFC-treated rats showed sluggishness, illness, and anorexia. Their urine contained appreciable protein, glucose, and ketone bodies. Histopathological examination of their kidneys revealed profound acute tubular necrosis. DFC treatment significantly increased levels of plasma creatinine, urea, sodium, chloride, potassium ions, and increased renal tissue activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, levels of malondialdehyde, and hydrogen peroxide. Fractional excretion of sodium and potassium and renal tissue levels of reduced glutathione and prostaglandin E (PGE) decreased significantly in DFC-treated groups. However, kolaviron administration significantly reduced the toxic effect of DFC on PGE release; plasma levels of creatinine, urea, glucose, and electrolytes; and significantly attenuated renal tubular and oxidative damages. Furthermore, the effects of DFC administration on food consumption, water intake, urine output and urine protein, glucose, ketone bodies, and electrolytes were significantly attenuated in animals treated with kolaviron. The results suggested that kolaviron ameliorated DFC-induced kidney injury in Wistar rats by decreasing renal oxidative damage and restoration of renal PGE release back to the basal levels.

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The beneficial effects of Ocimum gratissimum, have been attributed mainly to its antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties. This study investigated the protective effects of aqueous extract of Ocimum gratissimum leaves (AEOGL) on acetic acid induced colitis in male rats. Twenty male Wistar rats, 100-180 g were divided into four groups as follows: Group 1 (control) (n = 5) received 2 ml/kg of distilled water for 21 consecutive days. Group 2 (n = 5) received 2 ml of 6% acetic acid solution once intra rectally for induction of colitis. Group 3 and 4 (n = 5 each) were treated as group 2 and thereafter received AEOGL orally at 200 and 400 mg/kg/day respectively for 20 consecutive days. All the animals from each group were sacrificed 24 h after the induction of colitis and administration of AEOGL. The diarrhea score, ulcer score, hematological parameters, nitric oxide (NO), myeloperoxidase (MPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH) markers and histopathological alteration were evaluated. Acetic acid-induced colitis significantly caused alteration in diarrhea score, ulcer score, hematological parameters, MPO and SOD activities, NO and GSH levels (p < 0.05). It induced significant inflammation of the colonic tissue. AEOGL administration significantly decreased diarrhea score and ulcer score to normal (p < 0.05). It prevented alteration effect of acetic acid on hematological parameters and significant decreases the activities of MPO, SOD, NO and increase GSH levels (p < 0.05) in colitis rats. In conclusion, Ocimum gratissimum leaves possesses ameliorative effects against acetic acid-induced colitis as a consequence of its antiinflammatory and anti-oxidative properties.

l-Carnitine and vitamin C administration ameliorated CIS-induced nephrotoxicity due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

This study investigated the quantitative polyphenolic constituents and gastroprotective effects of methanol extract of Vernonia amygdalina leaf (MEVA) against aspirin-induced gastric ulcer in rats. Ulceration was induced by 3 days’ oral administration of aspirin (150 mg/kg body weight). Wistar rats were pretreated with cimetidine (reference drug) at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight and MEVA at 200, 300, and 400 mg/kg body weight once daily for 28 days prior to ulcer induction. At the end of the experiment, gastric secretions, antioxidant status, and histopathological alteration were evaluated. We observed that the significantly increased ulcer index, gastric volume, free and total acidity, malondialdehyde level, and pepsin activity were effectively reduced following treatment with 200 and 300 mg/kg MEVA. The extract also markedly attenuated the reduced activity of superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione level as well as pH and mucin content in the ulcerated rats. Administration of the extract also significantly attenuates necrosis of the stomach tissue of the ulcerated rats. The results suggested that the MEVA leaf, preferably at 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight, ameliorated aspirin-induced gastric ulceration via antioxidative and H2 receptor antagonist.