title: Chemopreventive effect of methanolic extract of Azadirachta indica on experimental Trypanosoma brucei induced oxidative stress in dogs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The medicinal properties of Azadirachta indica have been harnessed for many years in the treatment of many diseases in both humans and animals.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five apparently healthy dogs weighing between 3 and 8 kg were randomly divided into five groups with five dogs in each group. Ameliorative effect of A. indica on erythrocyte antioxidant status and markers of oxidative stress were assessed. Liver and kidney function tests were also performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pre-treatment with methanolic extract of Azadirachta indica (MEAI) at different doses did not significantly alter the values of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activity in Trypanosoma brucei infection. Although, serum creatinine significantly (P < 0.05) decreased with pre-treatment with 50 mg/kg A. indica, after 2 weeks of T. brucei infection. However, the reduced glutathione (GSH) content of the erythrocyte increased significantly in animals pre-treated with 50 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg of A. indica respectively. Markers of oxidative stress such as malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide generated were higher in animals infected with T. brucei with no significant (P >0.05) difference compared to the values obtained in pre-treated animals. Pre-treatment with 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg of A. indica significantly (P < 0.05) decreased serum myeloperoxidase activity at 2 weeks post-infection with T. brucei.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  From this study, MEAI showed significant ability to attenuate oxidative stress and inflammation during experimental T. brucei infection.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Veterinary Medicine and Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Temidayo O
authors.initials: TO
authors.lastname: Omobowale
authors.affiliation: Departments of Veterinary Medicine and Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ademola A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Oyagbemi
authors.affiliation: Departments of Veterinary Medicine and Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Oyefunbi A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Oyewunmi
authors.affiliation: Departments of Veterinary Medicine and Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Olumuyiwa A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Adejumobi
keywords: Antioxidant enzymes; Azadirachta indica; Inflammation; Oxidative stress; Trypanosoma brucei