Protective Effects of Solanum erianthum D. Don Leaf Extract on Lead-Induced Toxicity in Adult Wistar Rats

Olusegun Babalola,Oladayo Areola,Adeleke Badiora,John Agbi

doi:10.7324/japs.2016.601016

Abstract

The possible protective effects of the most potent fraction of Solanum erianthum ethanol leaf extract on lead-induced toxicity in adult wistar rats were investigated. Phytochemical constituents, antioxidant and membrane stabilizing activities of the ethanol extract and its fractions were determined using standard procedures. Acute and sub-chronic oral toxicity studies were carried out. The blood samples, liver, and kidney were collected for the estimation of biochemical and organ parameters, and histomorphological studies. The ethyl acetate fraction had the highest antioxidant activities and high membrane stabilizing potentials when compared to the crude extract and other fractions. Significant elevations were observed in plasma albumin, creatinine and urea levels in group treated with lead only. The activities of plasma ALT and AST were significantly increased in group treated with lead alone. Treatment with ethyl acetate fraction significantly decreased (< 0.05) the elevated ALT, AST, urea and creatinine levels. The histology evidence showed progressive degeneration of the liver and kidney tissues in lead treated groups while the administration of S. erianthum showed appreciable degrees of protection to both the liver and kidney. The study concluded that ethyl acetate fraction of S. erianthum has protective effects against lead-induced toxicity in adult Wistar rats.

Highlights

Lead (Pb) is a poisoning metal, which is ubiquitous in both organic and inorganic forms in the environment and is one of the major heavy metals used in industrial activities, like in automobile, paint, ceramic, plastic, etc industries because of its unique properties namely softness, high malleability, ductility, low melting point and resistance to corrosion (Shalan et al, 2005)
The study concluded that ethyl acetate fraction of S. erianthum has protective effects against lead-induced toxicity in adult Wistar rats
Reagents and Chemicals All the reagents used in the study were of analytical grade and were obtained from reputable sources. 1, 1-diphenyl-2picrylhydrazyl hydrate (DPPH), Follin-Ciocalteu’s phenolic reagent, sodium carbonate, sodium hydroxide, Gallic acid, Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), ferric chloride, Quercetin and aluminium chloride were obtained from Sigma Fine Chemicals Limited, Upsalla, Sweden and British Drug House (BDH) Chemicals Limited, London

Summary

Introduction

Lead (Pb) is a poisoning metal, which is ubiquitous in both organic (tetraethyl lead) and inorganic (lead nitrate, lead acetate, lead chloride) forms in the environment and is one of the major heavy metals used in industrial activities, like in automobile, paint, ceramic, plastic, etc industries because of its unique properties namely softness, high malleability, ductility, low melting point and resistance to corrosion (Shalan et al, 2005) This in turn has led to a manifold increase in the occurrence of free lead in biological systems and the inert environment, and remains a considerable occupational and public health problem, which is known to cause a number of adverse effects in both men and women (Flora et al, 2012). ROS are highly reactive to membrane lipids, protein and DNA They are believed to be the major contributing factors to stress injuries and to cause rapid cellular damage (Shehab et al 2010; Afify and El-Beltagi et al, 2011). Under the influence of lead, onset of oxidative stress occurs on account of two different pathways operating simultaneously; first comes the generation of ROS, like hydroperoxides (HO2), singlet oxygen and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and second, the antioxidant reserves become depleted (Flora et al, 2012)

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Conclusion