Anthocleista djalonensis A. Chev (Gentianaceae), a wild tropical perennial herb called Cabbage tree is used by local practitioners for the several medicinal purposes. The present study evaluated the in vitro antioxidant activities, in vivo antioxidant activities in triton-induced toxified rats and the GC-MS analysis of the methanolic leaf extract. The phytochemical investigation revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, saponins, cardiac glycosides, anthraquinones, terpenoids and steroids. Quantitative antioxidant evaluation of ADL gave total tannin, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and total antioxidant capacity as 192.24±6.06 mg/g catechin equivalent, 78.71±3.03 mg/g gallic acid equivalent, 154.67±1.77 mg/g quercetin equivalent, and 112.33±4.50 mg/g ascorbic acid equivalent. ADL demonstrated appreciable in vitro antioxidant capacity and radical scavenging ability compared with reference standards. Toxicity was induced in wistar rats by single intraperitoneal (i.p) injections of Triton X-1339 at a dose of 200 mg/kg b.w. Twenty four hours after Triton induction different dosages of ADL (200 mg/kg b.w., 400 mg/kg b.w., 600 mg/kg b.w.). Plant extract was administered for 14 consecutive days. Animals were sacrificed 24 hours after the last administration. Heart and liver were collected for biochemical analysis. ADL restored cardiac and hepatic antioxidant status by significantly lower mean levels of GPx, SOD, GSH, CAT and FRAP. ADL also showed significant protection against triton induced lipid peroxidation; malondialdehyde (MDA) as a biomarker of oxidative stress. These findings suggest that the leaf of Anthocleista djalonensis has potent antioxidant activity which may be responsible for some of its reported pharmacological activities and can be used as antioxidant supplement.

Oxidative stress is the direct consequence of an increased generation of free radicals and or reduced physiological activity of antioxidant defenses against free radicals generated. (Khan et al., 2015). Free radicals are reactive chemical entities that are short lived species containing one or more unpaired electrons (Bansal and Bilaspuri, 2011). They can be classified into three types: reactive oxygen species (ROS) (e.g. superoxide - O-2, hydroxyl - OH‾, alkoxyl - RO‾, hydroperoxyl - HO-2, hydrogen peroxide - H2O2), reactive nitrogen species (RNS) (e.g. nitric acid - NO-, nitrous acid – HNO2, peroxynitrite - ONOO-, peroxinitrous acid – ONOOH) (Droge, 2011), reactive chlorine species (RCS) (e.g. hypochlorus acid – HOCl) (Freidovich, 1999). They serve physiological functions including activation of different signaling pathways inside the cell, such as the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathways that alter gene expression. Oxygen-derived free radicals and oxidants (reactive oxygen species, ROS) are formed continuously in small amounts during the normal metabolism of cells and are normally inactivated by endogenous scavenging mechanisms. ROS levels below the homeostatic set point may interrupt the physiological role of oxidants in cellular proliferation and host defense. Similarly, increased ROS may also be detrimental and lead to cell death or to acceleration in ageing and age-related diseases (Rahman et al., 2012). Traditionally, the impairment caused by increased ROS is thought to result from random damage to proteins, lipids and DNA. In addition to these effects, a rise in ROS levels may also constitute a stress signal that activates specific redox-sensitive signaling pathways. Once activated, these diverse signaling pathways may have either damaging or potentially protective functions (Finkel, 2000). Humans are constantly exposed to free radicals created by several factors (Uttara et al., 2009). The excessive free radical generation may induce a number of alterations of cell constituents, including inactivation of enzymes, generation of reactive nitrogen species, damage of nucleic acid bases and proteins, and peroxidation of membrane lipids (Ha et al., 2006).

                Antioxidants are the chemicals or enzymes that react with the free radicals and protect the vital biomolecules from the damage by terminating the oxidative chain reaction. Antioxidants act as a defence mechanism that protect against deleterious effects of oxidative reaction produced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) in a biological system (Jayachitra and Krithiga, 2010). Reactive oxygen species not only are produced naturally in cell following stress or respiration but also have been reported to be produced by radiation, bacterial and viral toxin, smoking, alcohol, and psychological or emotional stress. Overproduction of ROS and/or inadequate antioxidants has been implicated in the pathogenesis and complications of some disease conditions like diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, atherosclerosis, arthritis, neurodegenerative disease, and aging process (Khalaf et al., 2008; Patel et al., 2010). Antioxidants have been reported to prevent oxidative damage caused by ROS by reacting with free radicals, chelating, and catalytic metals and also by acting as oxygen scavengers (Shahidi and Wanasundara, 1992; B¨uy¨ukokuroˇglu, et al., 2001). There is growing evidence that antioxidants play a pivotal role in the prevention of heart disease, cancer, DNA degeneration, pulmonary disease, and neurological disorder (Percival, 1998). Recently, there has been an upsurge of interest in the therapeutic potential of plants as antioxidants in reducing oxidative tissue injuries (Patel et al., 2010). Plants, herbs, and spice, rich in phenolic compounds like flavonoids, have been demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory, antiallergenic, antiviral, antiaging, and anticarcinogenic activities which can be attributed to their antioxidant properties (Percival, 1998; Aqil et al., 2006).

Anthocleista djalonensis A. Chev belongs to the family Gentianaceae and the Yoruba people of South west Nigeria refers to it as “Ewe Shapo” (Onocha et al., 2003). The tree grows up to 15 m tall; bole up to 40 cm in diameter; twigs sometimes with 2 erect spines or small cushions above the leaf axils (Jensen and Schripsema, 2002). The Genus Anthocleista comprises 14 species (Neuwinger, 2000); the West Africa species have the same vernacular names (Cabbage tree) and are used by local practitioners for the same medicinal purpose. A. djalonensis is used in traditional medicine for different ailments; the anti-inflammatory activity of the leaves and roots has been reported (Baba and Usifoh, 2011, Okunrobo et al., 2009). The seeds, barks, leaves and roots are used as antipyretic, laxative, remedy for various stomach disorders, antithelmintic, antimycobacterial, anti-bacterial and wound healing (Okoli and Iroegbu, 2004; Chah et al., 2006; Nweze and Ngongeh, 2007; Esimone et al., 2009). The leaf, bark and root of A. djalonensis are used to treat hypertension. It is used as herbal remedy for epilepsy in Ghana (Oliver-Bever, 1986; Iwu, 2000). Burkill (1995) reported that the plant is used as febrifuge, abortifacient and pain killer. In African traditional medicine, the leaves, stems and roots of A. djalonensis is prepared as a decoction or macerated in water or alcohol, and the solution is given orally as a treatment for diabetes (Ampofo, 1977; Abuh et al., 1990; Madubunyi et al., 1994; Olowokudejo et al., 2008; Jiofack et al., 2010; Diallo et al., 2012; Soladoye et al., 2012; Tchacondo et al., 2012). The hypoglycemic effect of the leaves, stem bark and roots of A. djalonensis has been scientifically proven by in vitro and in vivo studies (Abuh et al., 1990; Olagunju et al., 1998; Mbouangouere et al., 2007; Okokon et al., 2012; Olubomehin et al., 2013; Osadebe et al., 2014a, 2014b; Sunday et al., 2014). Some of the other ethno-medical uses of the extract of Anthocleista djalonensis leaves, roots and stem bark include treatment of wound, constipation, diarrhoea, dysentery, abdominal pain (Okoli and Iroegbu, 2004), hepatitis, jaundice, cirrhosis, fungal skin infection, filarial worm infections, acute inflammation and boils on skin (Aiyeloja and Bellow, 2006), treatment of dropsy, swellings, oedema, liver problems, antidotes to venomous stings and bites and pain killer (Burkill, 1985). The present study aimed at establishing the in vitro and in vivo antioxidant potentials of the methanolic leaf extract of Anthocleista djalonensis 

All chemicals were of analytical grade. Aluminum chloride (AlCl3), 5',5'- dithiobis-2-nitrobenzoic acid (DTNB), reduced glutathione (GSH), 2,4-dinitrophenol, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), Acetonitrile, formic acid, were purchased from Merck (Darmstadt, Germany). Quercetin, catechin, Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical, tannic acid, ascorbic acid, mannitol, folin-ciocalteau reagent, DMSO, thiobarbituric acid (TBA), 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 6-Hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid (Trolox) were procured from Sigma Chemical Co. (St. Louis, MO, USA). Analytical grade-methanol (MeOH), Sodium acetate, magnesium chloride (MgCl2), trichloroacetic acid (TCA), ammonium molybdate, ferrous sulphate, potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7), glacial acetic acid, ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), sodium chloride (NaCl) were obtained from BDH (Poole, U.K.) and Hopkins & Williams (U.K.). Sodium nitroprusside, Griess reagent: (1% (w/v) sulfanilamide, 2% (v/v) H3PO4 and 0.1% (w/v) naphthylethylene, potassium ferricyanide [K3Fe (CN) 6], 1, 10-phenanthroline, sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), ammonium molybdate. All other chemicals used in the experiment were of the highest grade commercially available.

2.2.          Plant Material: Collection and Identification

Leaves of Anthocleista djalonensis were collected from Yasere village in Okitipupa, Nigeria. The plant was authenticated at the herbarium of Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) with a voucher number FUTA-0150. 

2.3.          Experimental animals 

Healthy adult male wistar rats weighing 150 – 180 g were used for the study. The animals were housed at standard housing condition at the Department of Biochemistry animal house, the Federal University of Technology Akure, with temperature (27 ± 3 °C) under 12 h light: dark cycle and fed standard rodent chow (Vita feeds Nigeria limited) and water ad libitum. Experiments were performed in accordance with the Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals guidelines according to standard guidelines for laboratory animal care and use.

1. Methods

2.4.1        Preparation of aqueous methanolic leave extract of Anthocleista djalonensis (ADL)

The air-dried leaves were subjected to a coarse powder using a dry grinder. The powdered leaves were soaked in 80% methanol for 72 hours and filtered using whatman filter paper no. 1 to obtain the aqueous methanolic extract (ADL). The filtered extracts were concentrated in a rotary evaporator and further concentrated to dryness using freeze dryer. The residue was kept at -20°C for further studies.

1. Phytochemistry

Qualitative evaluation of phytochemicals including flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, phlobatannins, glycosides steroid and terpenoids, was carried out using standard procedures (Sofowora, 1993).

1. Evaluation of antioxidant components and activity
   1. Total Phenol Content Determination

The total phenolic content of extract was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu’s method of Singleton et al., (1999) as modified by Hung et al., (2001). Exactly 0.1 ml of ADL (1mg/ml) was rapidly mixed with 0.1 ml of Folin Ciocalteu reagent, followed by the addition of 0.3 ml sodium carbonate (7.5%, w/v) solution. The mixture was incubated in the dark for 30 min. The absorbance of the blue colour was read at 760 nm after 30 min on a spectrophotometer. The total phenolic content was extrapolated from a standard curve using tannic acid or gallic acid (graded concentration, 50 – 250 µg/ml) as a standard. The amount of total phenolics was expressed as gallic acid equivalent (GAE, mg gallic acid/g sample) through the calibration curve of gallic acid.

1. Estimation of the Concentration of Total Flavonoid

The total flavonoid concentration was determined spectrophotometrically based on the procedure of (Marinova et al., 2005). Briefly, 0.5 ml of ADL solution and standard (quercetin) at different concentrations (12.5 – 200 µg/ml) were taken in test tubes dissolved in methanol followed by the addition of 0.1 ml of 10% aluminum chloride solution. 0.1 ml of 1 M sodium acetate solution was added to the mixtures in the test tubes. Furthermore, each reaction test tube was then immediately diluted with 2.8 ml of distilled water and mixed to incubate for 30 min at room temperature to complete reaction. The absorbance of pink colored solution was noted at 415 nm using a spectrophotometer against blank methanol. Total Flavonoid Concentration (TFC) of the extract was expressed as quercetin equivalents (QE).

1. Estimation of the Concentration of Total Tannins

The tannins were determined by Folin - Ciocalteu method as described by Broadhurst et al. (1978). About 0.1 ml ADLE was added to a volumetric flask (10 ml) containing 7.5 ml of distilled water and 0.5 ml of Folin-Ciocalteu phenol reagent, 1 ml of 35 % Na2CO3 solution and dilute to 10 ml with distilled water. The mixture was shaken well and kept at room temperature for 30 min. A set of reference standard solutions of Catechin (12.5, 25, 50, 100 and 200 μg/ml) were prepared. Absorbance for test and standard solutions were measured against the blank at 725 nm with an UV/Visible spectrophotometer. The tannin content was expressed in terms of mg of CE /g of extract.

1. Total antioxidant activity

The antioxidant activity is determined by the conjugated diene method (Lingnert et al., 1979). Each extract (0.1 - 20 mg/ml) in water or ethanol (100 μl) is mixed with 2.0 ml of 10 mM linoleic acid emulsion in 0.2 M sodium phosphate buffer (pH 6.6) in a test tube and kept in dark at 37°C to accelerate oxidation. After incubation for 15 h, 0.1 ml from each tube is mixed with 7.0 ml of 80% methanol in deionized water and the absorbance of the mixture is measured at 234 nm against a blank in a spectrophotometer. The antioxidant activity is calculated as follows: 

Ascorbic acid, (Lingnert et al., 1979) was used as a positive control.

1. Evaluation of in vitro Antioxidant Potentials of ADL
   1. Assay of DPPH Radical Scavenging Capacity of the Extract

The free radical scavenging ability of the extracts against DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2 picrylhydrazyl) free radical was evaluated as described by Gyamfi et al. (1999). Briefly, appropriate dilution of the extracts (1 ml) was mixed with 1 ml, 0.4 mmol/L methanolic solution containing DPPH radicals, the mixture was left in the dark for 30 min and the absorbance was taken at 516 nm. The DPPH free radical scavenging ability was subsequently calculated as: 

 X 100 

1. Assay of CUPRAC of the Extract

In order to determine the cupric ions (Cu2+) reducing ability of ADL, the method proposed by Apak et al. (2004) was used. In this assay, 0.01M of CuCl2 solution, 7.5mM of ethanol neocuproine solution, and 1.0M of CH3COONH4 buffer solution were added to each test tube containing different concentrations of standard antioxidant (trolox) or extracts, respectively. Finally, total volume was adjusted to 2ml with distilled water and incubated for 30 minutes at room temperature. Absorbance was measured at 450 nm against a reagent blank. Increased absorbance of the reaction mixture shows increased reduction capability of solution. Trolox can be used as a positive control. 

1. Hydroxyl radical scavenging (OH) assay

The scavenging ability for hydroxyl radicals is measure by the method of Kunchandy and Rao (1990). The reaction mixture (1.0 ml) consist of 100 μl of 2-deoxy-Dribose (28 mM in 20 mM KH2PO4 -KOH buffer, pH 7.4), 500 μl of the extract, 200 μl EDTA (1.04 mM) and 200 μM FeCl3 (1:1 v/v), 100 μl of H2O2 (1.0 mM) and 100 μl ascorbic acid (1.0 mM) which is incubated at 37ºC for 1hour. 1.0 ml of thiobarbituric acid (1%) and 1.0 ml of trichloroacetic acid (2.8%) are added and incubated at 100ºC for 20 min. After cooling, absorbance is measured at 532 nm, against a blank sample. Mannitol, (Kunchandy and Rao, 1990), can be used as a positive control. 2.4.4.3  Metal chelating activity 

The chelation of ferrous ions is estimated using the method of Dinis et al. (1994). 0.1 ml of the extract I added to a solution of 0.5 ml ferrous chloride (0.2 mM). The reaction is initiated by the addition of 0.2 ml o ferrozine (5 mM) and incubated at room temperature for 10 min and then the absorbance is measured at 562 nm. EDTA (Dinis et al., 1994) was used used as a positive control.

1. Nitric oxide radical scavenging activity

Various concentrations of ADL (6.25-200 µg/ml) and sodium nitroprusside (5mM) in phosphate buffer saline (0.025 M, pH 7.4) in a total volume of 3 ml was incubated at room temperature for a period of 150 min. After which, 0.5 ml of the incubated solution and 0.5 ml Griess’ reagent (1% sulphanilamide, 2% O-Phosphoric acid and 0.1% naphthyethylene diamine dihydrochloride) were added together and allowed to react for 30 min. Control samples without the test compounds but with equal volume of buffer was prepared in a similar manner as done for the test. The absorbance of the chromophore formed during diazotisation of nitrite with sulphanilamide and successive coupling with naphthyethylene diamine dihydrochloride was measured at 546 nm. The experiment was carried out using Quercetin as positive control (Rao et al., 2010). The percentage inhibition of the extract and standard was calculated as: 

  X 100 

2.4.4.5     In vitro lipid peroxidation

The ability of ADL to inhibit lipid peroxidation in tissues was determined by measuring the level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) as described by Puntel et al. (2005).Aliquots of brain homogenate (100 µl) was incubated at 37oC in a water bath in the presence of 20 µl of different concentrations of ADLE (25, 50, 100, 200 and 400 µg/ml) and 30 µl of the respective prooxidant (Fe2+ or sodium nitroprusside, SNP). The colour was developed by adding 200 µl of 8.1% SDS (sodium dodecyl sulphate) to the reaction mixture containing the tissue homogenates. This was subsequently followed by the addition of 500 µl of acetic acid/ HCl buffer (pH 3.4) and 500 µl 0.6% thiobarbituric acid (TBA). The mixture was heated at 100oC for 1 h. The levels of TBARS produced were measured at 532 nm. The absorbance was compared with malondialdehyde (MDA) standard curve.

2.5        In vivo Antioxidant evaluation

2.5.1        Grouping and treatment of experimental animals

Male wistar albino rats weighing 190 ± 20 g were divided into seven groups of seven animals per group. Triton X-1339 was dissolved in normal saline. All animals were fasted for 18 hours before commencing the treatment for 14 days.

Group I: Normal saline (Control)

Group II: Triton (200 mg/kg b.w.)

Group III: Triton (200 mg/kg b.w.) + Anthocleista djalonensis (200 mg/kg b.w.)

Group IV: Triton (200 mg/kg b.w.) + Anthocleista djalonensis (400 mg/kg) b.w.)

Group V: Triton (200 mg/kg) b.w.) + Anthocleista djalonensis (600 mg/kg) b.w.)

Groups II –V were fasted for 24 h prior to Triton administration. ADL was administered 24 hour after triton induction once daily for 14 consecutive days.

1. Sacrifice, harvesting of organs and preparation of tissue homogenate from experimental animals

Rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. Heart and liver tissues were excised and rinsed in cold 0.9% NaCl solution, blotted with filter paper and weighed. The tissues were then minced with scissors in 10 volumes of phosphate buffer saline, pH 7.4 and homogenized in a teflon homogenizer. The homogenates were later centrifuged at 10000 g for 15 minutes at 4oC and the supernatants, termed the post mitochondrial fractions (PMF) were collected, stored at 4°C until needed for the enzyme assays. The clear supernatant was used to evaluate the in vivo antioxidant assay.

2.5.3        Cardiac and hepatic antioxidant status

Activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), reduced glutathione (GSH), peroxidation and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of hepatic and cardiac cells were measured. 

2.6           Statistical Analysis

Results were analysed using appropriate analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey multiple comparison tests. In all the tests, p<0>

Phytochemical constituents of Anthocleista djalonensis leaf extract 

The constituents in the aqueous methanol extract of Anthocleista djalonensis leaf (ADL) is presented in Table 1. The results revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, saponins, cardiac glycosides, combine anthraquinones, terpenoids and steroids; while phlobatannins, alkaloids and free anthraquinones are absent. 

Quantitative Analysis of phytochemicals in Anthocleista djalonensis leaf

Table 2 showed the result of quantitative analysis of ADL. Total Phenolic, flavonoid and tannin contents were present in significant amount (78.71±3.03mg gallic acid equivalent/g extract, 154.67±1.77mg quercetin equivalent/g extract and 192±6.06mg catechin equivalent/g extract), respectively. The total antioxidant capacity was 112±4.50mg ascorbic acid equivalent/g extract.

In vitro antioxidant activity of methanolic leaf extracts of Anthocleista         djalonensis

3.3.1        DPPH radical scavenging activity of methanolic leaf extracts of Anthocleista               djalonensis 

The ability of the extract to scavenge the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and the reference trolox is presented in figure 1. The extract exhibited concentration-dependent inhibition of DPPH radical with an IC50 value of 166.11± 0.63µg/ml. This was higher than that of trolox with an IC50 value of 11.67± 0.62µg/ml.

Nitric oxide scavenging activity of methanolic leaf extracts of Anthocleista   djalonensis

Figure 2 shows the nitric oxide (NO) scavenging activity of ADL in comparison with a standard antioxidant, quercetin. The extract exhibited concentration-dependent scavenging ability against NO radical with an IC50 value of 197.02± 3.91 µg/ml. This was higher than that of quercetin with an IC50 value of 83.11 ± 2.06 µg/ml. At the highest concentration tested (400 μg/ml), the percentage NO radical scavenging activity for ADL and quercetin were 59.54%, 98.45% respectively

Hydroxyl radical scavenging activity of methanolic leaf extracts of Anthocleista djalonensis

The capability of Anthocleista djalonensis leaf extract to scavenge the hydroxyl radicals generated by the presence of 1, 10-phenanthroline (OH) radical as compared to the reference Mannitol is shown in Figure 3.  The hydroxyl radical (OH) scavenging activity of ADL as presented shows that the extracts had a concentration dependent scavenging activity. The extract showed appreciable scavenging activity that compared well with Mannitol. At the highest concentration tested (400 μg/ml), the percentage OH radical scavenging activity for ADL and Mannitol were 65.41%, 85.75% respectively. The extract exhibited concentration-dependent decrease in OH radical with an IC50 value of 143.69 ± 2.91µg/ml and Mannitol 12.26 ± 0.42µg/ml 

Iron chelating activity of methanolic leaf extracts of Anthocleista djalonensis

            Iron chelating activity of ADL is presented in Figure 4 and compared with EDTA. The result revealed that extract of ADL has concentration-dependent Fe (II) chelating activity with over 50% chelation at 400µg/ml extract concentration.  This was however significantly lower than that of the standard EDTA with about 90% chelation also at 400µg/ml concentration. The iron chelating activity of the extract is not significantly concentration dependent. At the highest concentration tested (400 μg/ml), the percentage of iron chelating activity for ADL and EDTA were 52.33%, 91.86% respectively. IC50 of ADL and EDTA were 258.06 ± 6.07µg/ml and 18.82 ± 1.03 µg/ml respectively.

Lipid peroxidation inhibitory activity of methanolic leaf extracts of          Anthocleista djalonensis

Figure 5 shows the ability of ADL to inhibit lipid peroxidation in comparison with ascorbic acid. The extract demonstrated concentration dependent activity and compared favourably with ascorbic acid at lower concentrations but was not so at higher concentrations (100µg/ml-400µg/ml). At the highest concentration tested (400 μg/ml), lipid peroxidation activity for ADL and ascorbic acid were 58.82%, 87.96% respectively. The results further revealed that incubation of tissues in the presence of extract resulted in decrease and concentration-dependent inhibition of lipid peroxides accumulation caused by Fe (II). The extract and ascorbic acid showed IC50 values of 170.79 ± 0.2 µg/ml and 85.85 ± 0.7 µg/ml for the inhibition of Fe (II) peroxidation

Figure 6 shows the cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity of methanolic leaf extract of Anthocleista djalonensis in comparison with Trolox. The extract demonstrated concentration dependent activity and compared favourably with Trolox at highest concentrations but was not so at lower concentrations (12.5µg/ml-200µg/ml). At the highest concentration tested (400 μg/ml), the cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity of ADL and trolox standard were 78.49%, 97.45% while the IC50 were 208.31 ± 4.67 µg/ml and 8.48 ± 0.60 µg/ml respectively

Effect of Methanolic Leaf Extract of Anthocleista djalonensis on Cardiac and hepatic Levels of Oxidative Stress Markers in Wistar Albino Rat

In the present study, triton toxicity in rats resulted in oxidative stress as evidenced by the reduction in myocardial and hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities (GPx, FRAP, catalase, and SOD), myocardial and hepatic GSH level, and an increase in TBARS levels. These anomalies were prevented upon post treatment with ADL which returned both the elevated cardiac and hepatic MDA to normal control values, and restored the altered levels of antioxidant indices. The effect of Anthocleista djalonensis extract on the antioxidant status of triton-treated rats suggests a dose influence with the highest protective effects at 600 mg/kg. The results showed that ADL compared well with rosuvastatin in reversing the oxidative stress caused by triton (figure 7-11).