Aframomum sceptrum AQUEOUS EXTRACT: ANTIDOTE FOR CYANIDE INTOXICATION OF SELECTED OXIDATIVE STRESS MARKERS IN RATS
Author: ATINAYA, Uruemu David
Abstract
Cyanide-induced oxidative stress is known to play a key role in mediating cell death in rat. This study determined the effect of Aframomum sceptrum aqueous extract on oxidative stress in cyanide poisoned rats. Thirty rats weighing between 100-160g were randomly divided into six groups of five rats as follows; group A: were given normal water, group B: cyanide was added to their water, group C and D; were given cyanide contaminated water and 10mg/Kg and 20mg/Kg body weight aqueous extract of A. sceptrum respectively, group E and F: were given normal water and 10mg/Kg and 20mg/Kg body weight aqueous extract of A. sceptrum respectively. A. sceptrum aqueous extract was administered three times per day orally using intragastric tube, and potassium cyanide (KCN) solution at concentration of 9.0mg/Kg in the drinking tap water daily for a period of 4 weeks. A significant (p<0.05) decrease in haematocrit (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb), total protein (TP) and albumin in the serum of cyanide control group compared with the normal control. The results also showed a significant (p<0.05) higher activities of aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and decrease activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the serum and liver of the cyanide control group compared with the normal control. A significant higher activities of aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and decrease activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the serum and liver of the cyanide control group compared with the normal control. A significant (p<0.05) decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH), and increase malondialdehyde (MDA) level was observed in the serum and liver of the cyanide control group compared with the normal control. Treatment of the cyanide exposed rats with the spice extract improved the indices of antioxidant status but did not affect the group not given cyanide contaminated water thus making the A. sceptrum extract a potential source of natural antioxidant for cyanide poisoning. decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH), and increase malondialdehyde (MDA) level was observed in the serum and liver of the cyanide control group compared with the normal control. Treatment of the cyanide exposed rats with the spice extract improved the indices of antioxidant status but did not affect the group not given cyanide contaminated water thus making the A. sceptrum extract a potential source of natural antioxidant for cyanide poisoning.
Supervisor: PROF. B.O. GEORGE
