Polyphenol-rich extract of Ocimum gratissimum leaves prevented toxic effects of cyclophosphamide on the kidney function of Wistar rats.

BACKGROUND: Cyclophosphamide (CP) is one of the potent and low cost chemotherapy used in clinical setting against a variety of tumors. However, its association with nephrotoxicity limits its therapeutic use. Ocimum gratissimum leaf is a medicinal plant with numerous pharmacological and therapeutic efficacies, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammation, and anti-apoptotic properties. METHODS: The present study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of Ocimum gratissimum (OG) against CP-induced kidney dysfunction in rats. Rats were pre-treated with 400 mg/kg b.w. of leave extract of Ocimum gratissimum (Ocimum G.) for 4 days and then 50 mg/kg b.w. of CP was co-administered from day 5 to day 7 along with Ocimum G. Markers of renal function and oxidative stress, food and water intake, electrolytes, aldosterone, leukocytes infiltration, inflammation and histopathological alteration were evaluated. RESULTS: Obvious renal inflammation and kidney injuries were observed in CP treated groups. However, administration of leave extract of Ocimum G. prevented oxidative stress, kidney injuries, attenuated inflammation, increased aldosterone production and reduced sodium ion and water loss in rats. The plasma creatinine, urea and urine albumin concentration were normalized after the administration of Ocimum G. extract in rats treated with CP. Ocimum G. also decreased the plasma concentrations of Interleukin-(IL)-6, C-reactive protein and activity of myeloperoxidase and malondialdehyde in CP treated rats. CONCLUSION: Ocimum G. prevented kidney injury and enhanced renal function via inhibiting inflammation and oxidant-induced CP toxicity. The efficacy of Ocimum G. is related to the presence of various phytochemicals in the plant.

Barium chloride dose-dependently induced heart and lung injury in Wistar rats.

Barium (Ba) is one of the environmental pollutant metals that incite deleterious effects on human health. The present study investigated the effects of exposure to different doses of barium chloride (BaCl2 ) on heart and lung of Wistar rats. Rats were exposed to BaCl2 at 150, 300, and 600 mg/L for seven consecutive days. Results indicated that exposure to Ba caused heart and lung damage evidenced by significant increase in plasma lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase activities, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels, while high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol level decreased when compared with control. Moreover, BaCl2 significantly decreased superoxide dismutase, catalase, and acetylcholinesterase activities as well as glutathione level in heart and lung of the treated rats. Furthermore, the dose-dependent increase in cardiac and lung lipid peroxidation, advanced oxidative protein product and nitric oxide levels were accompanied by marked increase in metallothionein in the BaCl2 -treated rats. Administration of BaCl2 altered hematological parameters and significantly increased concentrations of interleukin-6 in the treated rats. Histology analysis showed significant alteration in the heart and lung tissues of Ba-treated rats. In conclusion, BaCl2 -induced heart and lung damages via disruption of antioxidant defense systems, and activation of inflammatory mediators and alteration in hematological parameters in rats.

Protective Effects of Methanol Extract of Vernonia amygdalina (del.) Leaf on Aspirin-Induced Gastric Ulceration and Oxidative Mucosal Damage in a Rat Model of Gastric Injury.

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.

Polyphenol-rich extract of Ocimum gratissimum leaves ameliorates colitis via attenuating colonic mucosa injury and regulating pro-inflammatory cytokines production and oxidative stress.

Colitis is a chronic inflammation and ulcer on the inner lining of the large intestine. For many centuries Ocimum gratissimum (OG) leaves have been used in folk medicine in Nigeria to treat inflammatory bowel diseases, however, to date, the anti-colitis effects of OG have not been scientifically proven. In this study we investigated the effects of polyphenol rich extract of Ocimum gratissimum (PREOG) leaf on colonic mucosa injury in colitis, its mechanisms, initial administration time and dosage. Dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced rat colitis models was used. PREOG administration was initiated at 3 and 7 d after the model was established at doses of 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg for 7 d. 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) was used as a reference drug. The disease activity index (DAI), vascular permeability, markers of oxidative stress, granulocyte infiltration, inflammation and histopathological alteration were evaluated. Obvious colonic inflammation and mucosa injuries were observed in DSS-induced colitis groups. PREOG administration promoted repair of colonic mucosa injuries, attenuated inflammation, and decreased DAI scores in rats with colitis. PREOG also decreased the plasma concentrations of Interleukin-(IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and concentrations of myeloperoxidase, nitric oxide, cyclooxygenase-2 and malondialdehyde in the colon, and increased the plasma concentrations of IL-4 and IL-10 as well as the concentration of superoxide dismutase, catalase and reduced glutathione in the colon. The efficacy of PREOG was dosage dependent. In conclusion, OG repairs colonic mucosa injury in experimental colitis through its ant-inflammatory and ant-oxidant. Its efficacy related to initial administration time and dose.

Gastro-protective effect of methanol extract of Vernonia amygdalina (del.) leaf on aspirin-induced gastric ulcer in Wistar rats.

This study investigated the protective effects of methanol extract of Vernonia amygdalina leaf (MEVA) on aspirin induced gastric ulcer in rats. Thirty Wistar rats, 150-200 g were divided into six groups as follows: Group 1 (control) rats received 2 mL/kg of propylene glycol for 28 consecutive days. Group 2 (Ulcer Control) received 150 mg/kg/day of aspirin suspended in 3 mL of 1% carboxymethylcellulose in water orally for 3 consecutive days during which the rats were fasted for the induction of ulcer. Group 3 received cimetidine at 100 mg/kg/day orally for 28 consecutive days and thereafter treated as group 2. Groups 4, 5 and 6 received MEVA orally at 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg/day respectively for 28 consecutive days and thereafter were treated with aspirin as group 2. All the animals were sacrifice at the end of the study to determine the gastric pH, gastric acidity, gastric ulcer score, haematological indices, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, reduced glutathione (GSH) and Lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels. The result showed that aspirin significantly (p < 0.05) increased gastric ulcer score and index, decreased gastric pH, gastric acidity, SOD activity, GSH level as well as increased LPO level. It induced significant necrosis of the stomach tissue. Administration of MEVA significantly (p < 0.05) increased gastric pH, but decreased gastric acid secretion and reversed alteration of haematological parameters. It also significantly (p < 0.05) increased SOD activity, GSH level and decreased LPO level. The results suggest that Vernonia amygdalina possesses gastro-protective properties against aspirin-induced gastric ulcer.