Changes in oxidative stress biomarkers in Wistar albino rats due to the oral administration of aqueous stem extract of Cissus populnea (Okoho).

Abstract

Cissus populnea is a plant with evidence of ethnomedicinal uses. However, a dearth of information exists on changes in oxidative stress parameters due to chronic administration of the plant's aqueous stem extract. The present study evaluates changes in oxidative stress parameters in Wistar albino rats due to oral administration of the aqueous stem extract. Forty animals (20 males and 20 females), 8 groups (n=5) (4 males, 4 females) were given daily oral doses (125mg/kg, 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg body) of the extract for 28 days were used. The control groups received distilled water. Tissues from the liver, heart, kidney, lungs, and testes (males) and ovaries (females) of the animals were used for the determination of malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione and the activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase. In the males, the extract led to a significant (p< 0.05) reduction in the hepatic malondialdehyde while the level in other organs remained unaltered (p> 0.05). In the females, administration of 500 mg/kg of extract led to a significant (p< 0.05) increase in both hepatic and renal malondialdehyde levels, but a significant (p> 0.05) reduction in the cardiac malondialdehyde level, remained significantly (p> 0.05) unchanged in other organs. Though the extract caused a significant rise (p< 0.05) in glutathione and activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase in some of the organs, malondialdehyde was not affected at doses below 500 mg/kg. Thus, the extract did not cause oxidative stress in the animals at low doses. The findings support the potential use of Cissus populnea in managing oxidative stress-related conditions, particularly at lower doses where it appears to enhance antioxidant defences without causing oxidative damage.