Therapeutic Potential of Justicia secundaon Oxidative Stress Indices in N‐Acetyl‐P‐Benzoquinone Imine Induced‐ Hepatotoxic Rats

Abstract

The therapeutic potential of Hot Water Leaf Extract of Justicia secunda(HWEJS) on oxidative stress indices in paracetamol (N‐Acetyl‐p‐Benzoquinone Imine) induced hepatotoxic rats was investigated. Justicia secunda is a blood boosting plant used traditionally with so many medicinal activities. Five groups of 10 rats each were used for the study, GpD was the control given n‐saline and the test grps A,B and C were administered with 2000mg/kg N‐Acetyl‐p‐Benzoquinone Imine (NAPQI) and after 24hrs, groupsB and C were administered with 200 and 400mg/kg of HWEJS respectively for 7 days. The body weights were also measured. Results of the study showed a relative weight loss of all the groups except the control in the first 2 days thereafter a relative increase was observed throughout the duration of the experiment. This could be as a result of the ameliorative effect of the extract against NAPQI overdose. Oxidative stress indices in the animals treated with NAPQI (as shown in the figure) increased the levels of the oxidative enzymes while the 200 and 400mg/kg HWEJS reduced them except in Malondealdehyde which showed a reduced level with NAPQI with increased levels on the treated groups. Gpx showed a significant (p<0.05) decrease at 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg. CAT and SOD decreased significantly (p<0.05) at 400mg/kg and non‐significant (p>0.05) at 200mg/kg respectively relative to control. MDA, an indicator for lipid peroxidation recorded non‐significant (p.>0.05) levels for all the test groups when compared to the control. These results suggest that the oral administration (p.o) of hot water extract of the leaves of J.S have antioxidant activities at the doses of 200 and 400mg/kg in the hepatotoxic rats. The combination of SOD, CAT and GPx enzymes constitute a first line antioxidant defense system that plays a crucial role in total defense mechanisms during metabolic processes. In the extract treated animals, SOD showed that it may have removed superoxide anions from oxidative insult by helping in breaking down potentially cellular harmful oxygen molecules while the CAT and GPX protected the cells from damage due to free radicals like the peroxides. This result could suggest that the hot water extract of Justicia secunda can be used in conditions where harmful oxygen molecules are believed to play a role in a disease or in oxidative stress‐related diseases as a therapeutic agent.