Comparative evaluation of biochemical effects of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) fruit extracts on paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats

The therapeutic activity of date palm extracts (Phoenix dactylifera) against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity was studied in rats of the Wistar strain. Forty-eight (48) Wistar rats were assigned into 8 groups equally. Group I (normal control) were given distilled water for 14 consecutive days. Group II (negative control) received paracetamol (2 g/kg). Group III were pretreated with aqueous extract (400 mg/kg) for 7 days before receiving paracetamol (2 g/kg) for 7 additional days. Group IV were pretreated with aqueous extract (400 mg/kg) for 7 consecutive days and paracetamol (2 g/kg) for 7 additional days. Group V– received 2 g/kg of paracetamol for 7days and given 400 mg/kg aqueous extract for additional 7 days. Group VI received paracetamol (2 g/kg) for 7days followed by ethanolic extract (400 mg/kg) for 7 additional days. Group VII were co-administered paracetamol (2 g/kg) and the aqueous extract (400mg/kg) for 7 days. Group VIII were co-administered paracetamol (2 g/kg) and ethanolic extract (400 mg/kg) for 7 days. To evaluate the efficacy of the extracts on paracetamol-compromised liver in Wistar rats, the enzyme activities of ALT, AST, ALP and bilirubin concentration in serum were investigated. Treatment with aqueous and ethanolic extracts at different timing significantly (p<0.05) decreased paracetamol-induced elevation of serum concentrations of ALT, AST and bilirubin. Concurrent administration of the extracts with paracetamol conferred better hepatoprotection compared to the prophylactic and curative treatments. The present findings suggest a potential therapeutic use of Phoenix dactyliferia in treatment of liver diseases.Keywords: Phoenix dactylifera, hepatoxicity, extract, paracetamo

Ameliorating Effects of Aqueous Extract of Tetracarpidium conophorhum against Iron- Overload Induced damage in Rats

Iron, though an important nutrient but in excess can produce serious damaging effects on organs of the body. Intake of plants and or plant products with iron chelating ability, instead of synthetic iron chelators, can produce less adverse effects and may be more effective. The potential effect of Tetracarpidium conophorhum (T. conophorhum) as a chelating agent of plant origin has not been determined hence the present study. Iron overload condition was induced by oral administration of iron II chloride in the rats. Twenty five rats were randomly divided into five groups. Groups A and B were the normal and negative control (iron overload only) respectively. Groups C-E were the iron overload induced rats treated with 250, 500 and 1000mg/kg body weight of T. conophorhum extracts. Animals in groups C-E received daily oral administration of extracts for thirty days. Thereafter, we studied the effects of T. conophorhum on liver function enzymes, antioxidant enzymes, hematological parameters and lipidperoxidation. Iron overloaded rats showed significant increase (p<0.05) in aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total and direct bilirubin levels and a significant decrease (p<0.05) in total protein, albumin, antioxidant enzymes. T. conophorhum extract at a high dose of 1000mg/kg body weight was able to restore the levels of these parameters to normal. These findings therefore suggest that high dose of T. conophorhum seed extract may be effective in reducing the resultant effects produced in the iron overload-induced liver damage. Keywords: T. conophorhum, iron overload, antioxidants, lipid peroxidatio

Physicochemical changes in maize plant (Zea mays) grown on contaminated soil exposed to sawdust treatment

The potential effects of sawdust for bioremediation of growing maize grown on crude oil contaminated soil was evaluated in this study. The experiment was divided into 3 groups control (soil without crude oil), polluted (soil with varying concentrations of crude oil), and sawdust treated (polluted soil with 50g sawdusts). The polluted and sawdust treated regime received four levels of treatments with crude oil (25g, 50g, 75g and 100g). Viable seeds of maize were grown on the soil beds for 35 days to assess the % germination, % survival, stem height, chlorophyll a and b, oxidative stress indicators and selected macronutrients using standard methods. Data obtained shows that the growth performance of the sawdust treated samples containing low concentration of crude oil was better in comparison to polluted groups but less than that of control. Sawdust remediation helped in overcoming the growth inhibition due to pollution to some extent. Significant increase (p<0.001) in the activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase) were observed in the sawdust treated regime when compared with the polluted and control groups. The result also showed a significant decrease (p<0.001) in Malondialdehyde levels and a non- significant increase (p>0.05) in macronutrients assessed in the remediated regime when compared with the polluted regime. Remediation of the polluted soil with sawdust relieved the inhibitory effect of crude oil on the plant growth particularly in groups containing lower concentrations of crude oil.Keywords: crude oil, sawdust, antioxidants, oxidative stres