EFFECT OF AQUEOUS GMELINA (Gmelina arborea) LEAF EXTRACT ON THE OXIDATIVE STABILITY OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF SHEEP

Abstract

The practice use of herbal medicine in recent times cannot be overemphasized in livestock industry. Hence, a 56 day trial was conducted to investigate the effect of aqueous Gmelina arborea leaf extract (AGALE) on oxidative stability of West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep. Twenty (20) WAD sheep, with an average live weight of 16 ±

0.02kg were randomly assigned into four treatment groups consisting of 5 animals per treatment in a completely randomized design (CRD). Fresh, clean water, cassava peel, and grasses were made available ad libitum during acclimatization. AGALE was administered on daily basis at varying levels such that T1 served as the control (0 mL), while T2, T3, and T4 received 5, 10, and 15 mL respectively. At the end of the feeding trial, three WAD sheep per treatment were randomly selected for blood samples collection to determine oxidative biomarkers. No significant (p<0.05) influence was observed on all the oxidative stability parameters measured except the catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) values. The CAT values observed in this study varied significantly (p<0.05) across the treatment groups in which WAD sheep drenched 5mL AGALE recorded highest value (14.14 u/mL) followed by those drenched 15mL (11.27u/moL), 10mL (9.45u/moL) and 0mL (4.36u/moL) respectively.

Animals administered 0 (199.38µmol/L) and 5mL (152.33 µmol/L) AGALE recorded similar GSH values but significantly higher than those administered 10 (185.33 µmol/L) and 15 (152.33 µmol/L) mL AGALE respectively. It was concluded that 5mL AGALE inclusion level reduced oxidative stress and increased antioxidant stability in WAD sheep.