Nutritional Compositions and In-vivo Antioxidant Effect of Corchorus olitorius Ethanol Leaf Extract in CCl4-induced Oxidative Stress in Wistar Rats

Background: Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathophysiology of various disease conditions with concomitant toll on the body’s defense mechanism against free radicals. To continuously sustain and support the efficiency of the body’s antioxidant defense system, natural plant sources are required. Thus, the need for alternative options especially of plants that are neglected and under-utilized. Hence, this study aimed at investigating the proximate and phytochemical compositions and in-vivo antioxidant effect of ethanol leaf extract of C. olitorius on antioxidant enzyme activities in CCl4-induced oxidative stress in Wistar rats. Methods: Thirty albino rats of Wistar strain (120-150g) were divided into six groups (A – F) of five rats each. Groups A, B and C served as test groups and were administered 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg doses of C. olitorius leaf extract respectively while Group D served as normal control. Groups E and F served as the positive and negative controls and were administered 50 mg/kg Silymarin and distilled water respectively. The administration lasted for 15 days after which blood was collected via cardiac puncture. Results: Findings showed that the leaf was rich in total phenol (21.47 ± 0.00 mgGAE/g) and tannin (23.34 ± 0.75 mgTAE/g) with little quantity of oxalate (0.48 ± 0.09 mg/g), cardiac glycosides (0.30 ± 0.07 %) and phytate (0.25 ± 0.01 %). The result of the proximate composition revealed that the leaf was rich in carbohydrate (44.16 ± 1.21 %), ash (20.31 ± 0.51 %) and protein (11.29 ± 2.06 %) with negligible quantity of lipid (0.46 ± 0.11 %). More so, the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase were all increased in the extract treated group when compared to the controls. Conclusion: From the above findings, it can be concluded that the ethanol leaf extract of C. olitorius may possess exploitable nutritional components and potential antioxidant activity against the debilitating effects of free radicals.

Determination of the Polyphenolic Content of Dorycnium herbaceum Plant Extract and Testing in vivo Antioxidant Effect, Comparative with Bilberry

Dorycnium herbaceum (DH) is a perennial herb or small shrub 10-80 cm high, which can be found in Central and Southeastern Europe. It is a little studied plant, which is known to have antibacterial and antifungal effect. In the present study we determined by spectrophotometric methods the total polyphenolic, flavonoidic, carotenic and chlorophyllic content of DH species, comparative to the bilberry. We also monitored the status of antioxidant enzymes using mice with oxidative stress induced by streptozotocinic diabet. For the induction of diabetes we used Swiss albino mice to which we injected streptozotocin intraperitoneally at a single dose of 180 mg / kg b.w.. The results showed that both chemical composition tinctures contain appreciable amounts of polyphenols, the highest content starring DH tincture species, but bilberry fruits have higher content of flavonoids, carotene and chlorophyll. Both plant extracts regulate the status of antioxidant enzymes, DH having superior efficacy.

Polyphenolic profiles and the in vivo antioxidant effect of nipa vinegar on paracetamol induced liver damage

Nipa vinegar, which is rich in gallic acid and protocatechuic acid, has reverted the paracetamol-induced liver damage in mice by reduction of inflammation and oxidative stress.

The in vivo antioxidant effect of vitamin C on hemogram in Paraquat treated male rats (rattus norvegicus)

Paraquat (PQ) is one of the most used herbicide globally; applied around trees in orchards and between crop rows to control broad-leaved and grassy weeds. Its oxidation results in the formation of superoxides which causes damage to cellular components. In this study, we determined the antioxidant effect vitamin C has on hemograms [hemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV) and total white blood cells count] of rats under these toxic insults. The animals grouped (A-D), comprising subgroups without vitamin C (A₁, B₁, C₁, D₁) and subgroups on vitamin C (A₂, B₂, C₂, D₂), received different sub-lethal doses of PQ administered intraperitoneally monthly to the animals over a period of three months. The Hb values obtained were significantly reduced (P≤0.05) at month 1 and (P≤0.001) at months 2 and 3. These changes became more pronounced with increased dose and time. Vitamin C treated subgroups (B₂, C₂ and D₂) had better Hb values than those without it (B₁, C₁ and D₁) but the values were still significantly low when compared to the control subgroups (A₁ and A₂). This same trend was observed in the PCV results obtained. The Control subgroups showed that vitamin C treated subgroup (A₂) had a more improved hemogram values than subgroup on water only (A₁), but they were all higher than that of the test subgroups. These PQ induced anaemia were ameliorated by the subsequent administration of vitamin C, and continuous treatment with vitamin C restored the health status of the animals so treated.