Scavenging antioxidative bioactivities of cucumber (Cucumis sativus) fruit juice in rabbits overdosed with amoxicillin

Abstract

Background: Raw cucumber (Cucumis sativus) fruit juice contains phytochemicals and phytonutrients of antioxidative bioactivities while overdose of amoxicillin could bring about drug-induced toxicity and oxidative stress. Malondialdehyde (MDA) is an oxidative index while catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) are scavenging antioxidants. This work was therefore designed to determine the scavenging antioxidative bioactivities of cucumber (C. sativus) fruit juice in rabbits overdosed with amoxicillin. Methods: Fifteen rabbits of the same sex divided into three groups of 5 rabbits each were used for the study. Group A – 5 control rabbits; Group B – 5 rabbits given 30 mg/kgBW subcutaneous injection of amoxicillin every 24 h for 7 days which was followed by 30 ml raw cucumber fruit juice supplementation for 14 days; and Group C – 5 rabbits given 30 mg/kgBW subcutaneous injection of amoxicillin every 24 h and raw cucumber fruit juice supplementation for 14 days simultaneously. Plasma MDA, CAT, SOD, and GPx were determined in the rabbits biochemically by spectrophotometry, fluorometry, and ELISA. Results: The results obtained showed a significant increase in plasma value of MDA and a significant decrease in plasma CAT, SOD, and GPx when the rabbits were given 30 mg/kgBW subcutaneous injection of amoxicillin (P 0.05). Conclusion: This work showed abnormal plasma values of MDA, CAT, SOD, and GPx following amoxicillin overdose which was reversed owing to possible scavenging antioxidative potentials of raw cucumber fruit juice. The raw cucumber juice could therefore be a natural antidote in drug-induced toxicity.