Abstract

COCOA MISTLETOE (LORANTHUS BENGWENSIS) AQUEOUS EXTRACT ATTENUATES DICLOFENAC INDUCED ORGANS TOXICITIES IN WISTAR ALBINO RATS

Dr. Oseni O. A.*, Alli-Smith Y. R., Odesanmi E. O. and Ukwajiunor A. R.

Abstract

Mistletoe (Loranthus bengwensis) has been used as a therapeutic agent and also possesses some beneficial nutrients. This present study therefore investigate the antioxidant, antitoxicity and chemo-protective effects of aqueous extract of cocoa mistletoe on diclofenac induced organsdisorders using male Wistar albino rats. The experiment was performed on twelve Wistar rats weighing between 120g and 150 g which were divided into three groups of four rats each. Group I animals serve as a positive control that fed on water and rat feed while Group II animals were orally administered with 50mg/kg/bodyweight of diclofenac. Similarly Group III rats were administered with 50mg/kg/body weight diclofenac and were also treated at a day interval with 10% aqueous extract of cocoa mistletoe for three weeks. After which the rats were sacrificed; the plasma, liver and heart were obtained to determine the biomarker enzymesAlanine aminotransferase (ALT); Aspartate aminotransferase (AST); Alkaline phosphatase (ALP); Catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA). The results of the study showed that diclofenac significantly and progressively lowered the plasma and organs CAT, AST activities while significantly causing elevation in ALT, ALP, MDA concentrations when compared with the control rats group. The 10% aqueous mistletoe extract significantly lowered the ALP, ALT, MDA and increased CAT and AST activities. However the results of the study showed the cardio-protective, chemoprotective and antioxidant effects of the aqueous extract of Mistletoe (Loranthus bengwensis) which may be used in the management of suspected patients with liver and heart problems.

Keywords: diclofenac; toxicity; Mistletoe; cardio-protection; antioxidants.