Antioxidant effects of Tamarindus indica following acute and chronic carbon tetrachloride induced liver injury
2013
Atawodi, S.E. (Ahmadu Bello Univ., Kaduna State (Nigeria). Dept. of Biochemistry) | Liman, M.L. (Ahmadu Bello Univ., Kaduna State (Nigeria). Dept. of Biochemistry) | Onyike, E.O. (Ahmadu Bello Univ., Kaduna State (Nigeria). Dept. of Biochemistry)
This study aimed at evaluation of in vivo antioxidant effects of the methanolic extracts of different parts of Tamarindus indica Linn. in rats. To this end, rats were administered (pre-treatment) with plant extracts (5 mg/kg) for 3 days and intoxication with carbon tetrachloride (0.6 mL/kg) for acute liver injury experiment. The chronic liver injury experiment on the other hand involved intoxication with 0.3 mL/kg of carbon tetrachloride at every 72h interval with concomitant 24 h administrations of the extracts (5 mg/kg) for twelve days. Malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were determined from liver, kidney and heart homogenates as indicators of oxidative stress. Serum catalase and SOD as well as packed cell volume (PCV) of the blood were also determined The results obtained showed a statistically significant (p less than 0.05) enhancement in the levels PCV, catalase and SOD activities in the extract-treated groups relative to the controls while the MDA was significantly lowered (p less than 0.05) in the extract-treated groups when compared to the CCl4 control. The extracts showed potent antioxidant potential in the following order; fruit pulp greater than stem bark greater than fruit bark greater than seeds greater than root bark greater than leaves. These results suggest that T. indica possesses strong antioxidant properties to justify its usage in traditional medicine and culinary purposes leading to extra health benefits on its use as food in many tropical countries.
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