PROTECTIVE POTENTIAL OF AQUEOUS LEAF EXTRACT OF BRIDELIA FERRUGINEA IN NORMAL ALBINO RATS AGAINST CARDIOTOXICITY AND ANTIOXIDANT IMBALANCE DUE TO EXPOSURE TO PETROL FUMES
*Ezomoh O. Olubunmi, Chukwuma S. Anakwe, Abari K. Erekimie-Yemi, Elatu O. Daniela and
Prohp The Prophet
ABSTRACT
The present study evaluated the protective potential of aqueous leaf extract of Bridelia ferruginea in normal albino
rats against cardio-toxicity and anti-oxidant imbalance caused by exposure to petrol fumes. A total of 21 albino
rats of Wistar strain and of average weight were used in this study. After exposure of two test groups to petrol
fumes for 1 hour and 3 hours daily, they were treated with the aqueous leaf extract of Bridelia ferruginea
(400mg/kg) and vitamin E (200mg/kg) respectively for 28 days. Blood samples were collected periodically from
the submandibular vein for spectrophotometric determination of lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase
activities. On the 28th day of the experiment, all the rats were sacrificed and their hearts obtained for histological
studies and spectrophotometric assay of Catalase, superoxide dismutase and lipid peroxidation. Results obtained
indicated that exposure to petrol fumes caused the activities of lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase to
increase when compared to normal control(P<0.05). Catalase and superoxide dismutase activities were
considerably reduced while malondialdehyde level increased (P<0.05). Treatment with aqueous leaf extract of
Bridelia ferruginea and vitamin E, however, reversed this imbalance (P<0.05). Histological examination showed
adverse changes in the hearts of untreated rats. However, these changes were reversed by the administration of
aqueous leaf extract of Bridelia ferruginea. The plant may therefore provide protection against cardio-toxicity
caused by petrol fumes.
Keywords: Petrol, toxicity, Bridelia ferruginea, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, antioxidants.
[Full Text Article]
[Download Certificate]
Impact Factor : 8.181 
