title: Effects of sub-acute methanol extract treatment of Calliandra portoricensis root bark on antioxidant defence capacity in an experimental rat model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The attendant side effects associated with some synthetic drugs used in the management of diseases have led to the search for safer alternative therapies that are relatively cheaper with minimal side effects.
  
  
  METHODS
  The methanol extract of Calliandra portoricensis root bark (CPRB) was orally administered at the doses of 5, 10, 20, and 25 mg/kg body weight for 14 consecutive days of 5 rats in each group. The control rats were given distilled water.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 95% methanol extract of CPRB significantly (p<0.05) scavenged NO• and OH• radicals compared to vitamin C. The level of lipid peroxidative products (malondialdehyde, MDA) was significantly (p<0.05) attenuated in a dose-dependent manner. Antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase and catalase were significantly (p<0.05) exercabated in both liver and kidney in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, serum AST, alanine aminotransaminase and γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) activity depicted non-significant (p>0.05) increase in the treated animals. The histological examination showed mild vacuolar, portal congestion and cell infiltration by mononuclear of the hepatic tissues.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study then concluded that a therapeutic dose of the methanol extract of CPRB triggered the antioxidant defence systems in male rats. It is, therefore, recommended that the doses should be carefully and clinically chosen because higher doses may cause some health risks.
authors.forename: Ese O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Siemuri
authors.forename: Jacob K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Akintunde
authors.forename: Anuoluwapo J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Salemcity
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007887:Fabaceae; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000378:metabolism; D006878:Hydroxides / Q000378:metabolism; D020128:Inhibitory Concentration 50; D007668:Kidney / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018517:Plant Roots; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D006878:Hydroxides; D010936:Plant Extracts; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D008315:Malondialdehyde; C031356:hydroxide ion; D001205:Ascorbic Acid