title: Methanol Extract ofAdansonia digitataLeaf Protects Against Sodium Arsenite-induced Toxicities in Male Wistar Rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Human and animal population exposure to arsenic through the consumption of arsenic contaminated water is rampant in many parts of the world. Protective agents of medicinal plants origin could provide maximum protection against toxicities of various kinds.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The protective role of orally administered methanol extract of the leaves ofAdansonia digitata(MELAD) on sodium arsenite (SA) - induced clastogenicity and hepatotoxicity in male Wistar rats was evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty male Wistar rats divided into six Groups (1-6) of five animals each were used for the study. Group 1 (negative control) received distilled water and normal diet only, Groups 2-6 received the extract (at 250 or 500 mg/kg body weight) and/or SA at 2.5 mg/kg body weight.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was statistically significant (P< 0.05) increase in the number of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes and lipid peroxidation in the SA group as compared with the negative control and treated groups. Administration of the extract reduced the effects of SA on the above parameters. Activities of serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferases did not show statistically significant effects; however, the histological analyses revealed periportal cellular infiltration by mononuclear cells, whereas the MELAD treated groups show mild cellular infiltration and mild portal congestion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MELAD protect against SA-induced toxicities in rats, and it may offer protection in circumstances of co-exposure and cases of arsenicosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MELAD extract significantly reduce the lipid peroxidation induced by sodium arsenite in the liver of rats.MELAD did not show profound effects on the activities of serum alanine (ALT) and aspartate (AST) aminotranferases.MELAD offered significant protection against sodium arsenite-induced genotoxicity in the micronuclei induction assay.In the circumstances of co-exposure to arsenic contamination, MELAD may protect against sodium arsenite-induced toxicities.Abbreviations Used:MELAD: Methanol extract of the leaves ofAdansonia digitata, SA: Sodium arsenite, nMPCEs: Number of micronucleated polychromatic erythocytes; ALT: Alanine aminotranferase; AST: Aspartate aminotranferase, TBARS: Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, TBA: Thiobarbituric acid, MDA: malondialdehyde, Sodium arsenite (NaAsO2), IARC: International Agency for Research on Cancer.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Research and Molecular Biology Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ayodeji Mathias
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Adegoke
authors.affiliation: Cancer Research and Molecular Biology Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Michael Adedapo
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Gbadegesin
authors.affiliation: Cancer Research and Molecular Biology Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Oyeronke Adunni
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Odunola
keywords: Adansonia digitata; alanine aminotransferase; aspartate aminotransferase; number of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes