EVALUATION OF AMELIORATIVE AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF THE CRUDE METHANOL LEAF EXTRACT OF BALANITES AEGYPTIACA IN WISTAR RATS EXPOSED TO CHLORPYRIFOS

Abstract

Antioxidant Activity of Balanites aegyptiaca in Wistar Rats Exposed to chlorpyrifos was investigated in this study. About 1000 g of the powdered leaves of Balanites aegyptiaca was used for the extraction and methanol was the extraction medium while cold maceration was emplyed. Thirty wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups of five rats each. Rats in group I were neither treated nor exposed to chlorpyrifos. Rats in groups II to VI were exposed to chlorpyrifos at 2 mg/kg daily for seven days. Rats in groups; II, III and IV were treated with the extract at doses; 100, 300 and 500 mg/kg respectively. Rats in group V were treated with ascorbic acid (150 mg/kg). Rats in group VI were administered normal saline. All treatments were through oral route and were for 7 consecutive days. Seven days after, all rats were humanely euthanized by severing their jugular vein, and 5 ml of blood sample was collected from each rat and transferred into plain container devoid of anticoagulant for serum chemistry and antioxidant assay. There was significant (P<0.05) increase in the mean values of liver enzymes (ALT, AST and ALP) in rats exposed to chlorpyrifos and treated with normal saline when compared to all groups. Similarly, a significant (P<0.05) reduction int the mean values of liver enzymes was recorded in rats treated with ascorbic acid when compared to rats treated with 500 mg/kg of the crude methanol leaves extract of Balanites aegyptiaca. A significant (P < 0.05) increase in the serum level of specific antioxidants enzymes (SOD, CAT and GPx) were recorded in rats treated with Balanites aegyptiaca and ascorbic acid when compared to group VI. A significant (P<0.05) increase in the mean values of antioxidants enzymes were recorded in group III, IV and V when compared to group II. In this study, methanol leaves extract of Balanites aegyptiaca significant ameliorative effect