title: Effects of ethanolic dried leaf extract of Lecaniodiscus cupanioides on antioxidant enzymes and biochemical parameters in rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lecaniodiscus cupanioides is widely used in West African folk medicine for the treatment of inflammatory conditions, fevers and bacterial infections.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the potential toxic effects of the ethanolic dried leaf extract of Lecaniodiscus cupanioides (LC) on antioxidant enzymes in selected organs and biochemical parameters.
  
  
  METHODS
  Crude ethanolic extract of Lecaniodiscus cupanioides dried leaves was prepared. A 90-day sub-chronic toxicity study was conducted using albino rats. Reconstituted Lecaniodiscus cupanioides was administered at a dosage of 400, 800 and 1600 mg/kg (high dose) with a control group receiving 10 ml/kg orally. Histopathological studies of major organs and blood chemistry analysis were performed on blood obtained via cardiac puncture after euthanization. Selected organs (liver, kidney and brain) were harvested for antioxidant and histopathological assessments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The extract produced significant (p<0.05) increases in the weights of liver, kidney and brain at 800 mg/kg and 1600 mg/kg compared to the control. Biochemical analysis showed significant increase in Alanine transferase (ALT) at 800 mg/kg and 1600 mg/kg. Assay for antioxidant enzymes showed a reversible decrease in the activity of Catalase (CAT), Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Glutathione (GSH) with an increase in Malondialdehyde (MDA) at 800 mg/kg and 1600 mg/kg Lecaniodiscus cupanioides. Histopathological study showed reversible congestion in the brain, liver, and kidney at 800 mg/kg and 1600 mg/kg.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings in this study reveal that the ethanolic dried leaf extract of Lecaniodiscus cupanioides has the potential for inhibiting in vivo antioxidant enzymes activity and causing hepatotoxicity after prolonged exposure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-araba, Lagos, Nigeria. Electronic address: joyog143@gmail.com.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Oladimeji-Salami
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-araba, Lagos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Akindele
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-araba, Lagos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: O O
authors.initials: OO
authors.lastname: Adeyemi
mesh_terms: D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D000431:Ethanol / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000633:toxicity*; D018515:Plant Leaves; D051381:Rats; D029631:Sapindaceae; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D059550:Toxicity Tests, Subchronic
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D012997:Solvents; D000431:Ethanol; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D005978:Glutathione
keywords: Antioxidant enzymes; Biochemical assay; Lecaniodiscus cupanioides