Tissue Morphology and Expression of Myelin Basic Protein and Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase in Wistar Rats Treated with Sodium Arsenite: The Beneficial Effects of Ethanol Leaf Extract of Tridax Procumbens

Abstract

Arsenical compounds cause significant issues in both humans and animals including an increased risk of developing cancer. In the present study, the role of Tridax procumbens leaf extract (TPLE) on the toxicities caused by sodium arsenite in rats was assessed. Thirty‐two male Wistar rats (80–100 g) were equally assigned into four groups (A–D) and treatment was as follows: Group A (control) were administered 1 ml/kg body weight (bwt.) olive oil; B: 2.5 mg/kg bwt sodium arsenite (SA); C: 100 mg/kg bwt TPLE; D: 100 mg/kg bwt TPLE and 2.5 mg/kg bwt SA. TPLE was administered daily for 14 days while SA was given on day 7 and 14. The route of administration was oral. Histological analysis and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) (in liver, lung, cerebrum and cerebellum) and myelin basic protein (MBP) (in cerebellum) was performed. Histological examinations showed that sodium arsenite caused disruptive lesions in the liver, lungs and cerebral cortex of rats in group B. However, Tridax procumbens extract ameliorated these effects when co‐administered with arsenite in group D. There was significant elevation (p<0.05) in the expression of iNOS protein in the tissues of rats in group B when compared to other groups as revealed by immunostaining. In addition, the white mater cells of the cerebellum showed significant elevation (p<0.05) in the expression of myelin basic protein in group C as compared to groups A, B and D when quantified. In conclusion, the ethanol leaf extract of Tridax procumbens shows beneficial effects against sodium arsenite induced toxicities in Wistar rats.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.