RESUMO
In this study, the effect of orally administered methanolic extract of Morinda lucida stem bark (MLSB) was tested for its efficacy to reverse lead nitrate-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats. Thirty-six female rats were assigned into six groups (n = 6). Rats in group I received 2.2 mL/kg distilled water for 28 days, those in group II received 30 mg/kg lead nitrate for 14 days while those in groups III to VI received 30 mg/kg lead nitrate for 14 days followed by a treatment with 100, 250, 500 mg/kg BW MLSB extract and 0.2 mL/100 kg rats silymarin respectively for 14 days. They were sacrificed after 28 days after which biochemical, histological, and immunohistochemical parameters were examined. The results of this study showed a reduction of catalase and superoxide dismutase activities by lead nitrate. Deranged hepatic histomorphology was also observed intracellularly and extracellularly in lead nitrate-treated rats. Altered vimentin arrangement was also observed in lead nitrate-treated rats. However, 250 mg/kg BW dose of Morinda lucida significantly reversed some of these changes while the 500 mg had some toxic effect on liver tissue. We concluded that the extract at 250mg/kg BW dose may be a potential treatment for conditions associated with lead toxicity and other metallic particles.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Biochemical, hematological and histological changes are major observable clinical and pathological factors associated with Diabetes mellitus. Derangement in the levels of these parameters increases the risk of the development of complications. In another hand, gastrointestinal intolerance due to the development of lactic acidosis on the gastrointestinal tract and the intestinal microbiome is the toxic side effect of various synthetic antidiabetic agents. The use of Kigelia africana fruit extract for the treatment of diabetes has been scientifically validated. This study therefore aimed at investigating changes in the biochemical, hematological and histological parameters as well as the determination of the functional groups present in the hexane fraction of the fruit. METHODS: The fruits were extracted with ethanol and partitioned with n-hexane to obtain the hexane fraction. Diabetic rats induced with streptozotocin (STZ) were divided into 5 groups of 5 animals each and treated with 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight (BW) hexane fraction alongside reference standard; glibenclamide. Fasting blood glucose levels and their body weights were monitored weekly. Animals were sacrificed at the end of 28-day treatment. Blood, liver, and kidney were collected for biochemical, hematological and histopathological analyses. Fourier transform infrared resonance (FTIR) spectroscopic analysis was carried out on the hexane fraction for functional group determination. RESULTS: The hexane fraction of K. africana fruit extract decreased fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels significantly with ameliorative effects on the hematological parameters such as packed cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and red blood cells (RBC) etc. There were significant regenerative differences in the biochemical activities as well as the renal cortex and midzone sections of the rat's kidney and liver when compared with untreated diabetic rats. The presence of polyphenolic functional groups via FTIR analysis suggested high antioxidant activities of the fruit extract. CONCLUSION: The use of Kigelia africana fruit extracts protects against biochemical, hematological and histological changes that are injurious to diabetic patients. Therefore, Kigelia africana fruit is a good hepatic- and nephroprotective agent and has a hemato-protective ability.
