Abstract
Thirty healthy male rats were used for the in vivo experiment. Animals received 3.5 mg/kg of Paraquat (PQ) intraperitoneally on the 15th day of experiment. Extracts were administered daily for thirty (30) days using normal saline. Liver parameters were analyzed to assess hepatoprotection. Malondialdehyde concentration was estimated to assess peroxidation. Glutathione (GSH) concentration was estimated to assess non-enzymatic antioxidant status. Activities of antioxidant enzymes were further used to assess antioxidant capacity of Psidium guajava (PG) against PQ-induced oxidative damage. Hematological indices were evaluated to assess the effect of PG on haemopoesis. Histological study of the liver was also carried out to find out the level of effectiveness of PG. The antimicrobial activity of the extract was also determined. Results showed that there was a significant increase in ALT and AST activities, albumin/globulin ratio, malondiadehyde (MDA), following PQ exposure at (p < 0.05). There was also a significant decrease of total protein and globulin concentrations, Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Red Blood Cell (RBC) count, Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), and GSH after PQ exposure at (p < 0.05). The histological result showed that PG leaf extract significantly improved changes in oxidative stress parameters, blood parameters, and hepatotoxicity induced by PQ administration at p < 0.05. Thus, PG leaf ethanol extract may be recommended in hepatotoxicity.
Highlights
IntroductionPsidium guajava (PG) commonly known as Guava is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions around the world
Some recent studies have shown that certain extracts from the leaves and bark can act as an antiinflammatory, prevent bacterial growth, and in some cases inhibit the spread of cancer (Manosroi et al, 2006)
The enzyme, ALT and AST activities were found to increase in the paraquat group after paraquat intoxication, probably due to the toxicity and oxidative stress caused by paraquat in the liver which corresponded with the findings of Dere and Polart (2000), which says that paraquat alters the level and activity of various enzymes in liver and kidney
Summary
Psidium guajava (PG) commonly known as Guava is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. Native tribesmen have used Psidium guajava for a lot of medicinal purposes thousands of years before modern medicine documented the specific chemical compounds in the tropical fruit. The leaves were brewed to treat intestinal tract problems or ground into a poultice and applied to the skin to treat open wounds and rashes. Both the unripe and ripe fruits were consumed to suit stomach upset and when the flesh is ready to eat it acts as a mild laxative and the unripe fruit works as an antidiarrheal (Joseph et al, 2011). Some recent studies have shown that certain extracts from the leaves and bark can act as an antiinflammatory, prevent bacterial growth, and in some cases inhibit the spread of cancer (Manosroi et al, 2006)
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