HEPATIC, RENAL AND ENDOGENOUS ANTIOXIDANT STATUS MODULATORY EFFECTS OF CHRONIC CO-SUPPLEMENTATION OF ROOIBOS (ASPALATHUS LINEARIS) AND RED PALM OIL (ELAEIS GUINEENSIS) IN MALE WISTAR RATS

Abstract

Background: This study investigated the hepatic, renal and endogenous antioxidant status modulatory effects of chronic cosupplementation
 of rooibos and red palm oil (RPO) in male Wistar rats.
 Materials and Methods: Rats were randomized into four groups (n=10/group) and fed daily either standard rat chow (SRC) and water
 (Group I), SRC and the aqueous rooibos extract (2% w/v; Group II), SRC and RPO (200 μL/day) with water (Group III), or SRC and
 RPO (200 μL/day) with rooibos (2% w/v; Group IV) for 22 weeks.
 Results: Chronic feeding of rooibos, RPO or their combination did not induce any adverse hepatic or renal effects, as shown by serum
 levels of alkaline phosphatase, alanine- and aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, albumin, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen
 and uric acid. Histopathology analyses showed that liver from the three supplementation groups displayed normal hepatic
 histoarchitecture. Chronic feeding of RPO did not influence the redox status in the blood and liver significantly. Supplementation of
 rooibos alone for 22 weeks significantly (P