Abstract
Aim:
This
study intends to examine the protective effects of an aqueous extract of Syzygium
cumini seed on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities in
alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar albino rats.
Methodology:
A
single intraperitoneal injection of 150 mg kg-1 b.wt of alloxan monohydrate
was used to induce diabetes in rats. Syzygium cumini group rats were later
administered 300 mg kg-1 of Syzygium cumini seed extract by
oral gavage for 21 days. On 22nd day, the animals were given
general anaesthesia, blood was drawn through the retroorbital plexus, and the
kidneys were promptly removed. Lipid peroxidation levels were assessed in the
blood (serum) and kidney tissues by measuring the thiobarbituric acid
reactive substances, and the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as GST,
GPX, SOD and CAT were examined in the blood and kidneys.
Results:
The
acute toxicity experiments revealed that Syzygium cumini did not cause
any obvious toxicity indications or mortality at a dosage of 300 mg kg-1,
proving the safety of this extract with a broad therapeutic index. The
results obtained showed that using aqueous Syzygium cumini seed extract for
21 days considerably (P <0.05) increased the antioxidant enzyme activity
for GST, GPx, SOD and CAT, while significantly (P <0.01) decreasing the
TBARS levels.
Interpretation:
Conclusively,
the seed extract of Syzygium cumini might be a possible treatment for
controlling hyperglycemic oxidative stress complications owing to its
antioxidant properties.
Key
words: Albino
rats, Antioxidant enzymes, Lipid peroxidation, Syzygium cumini, Seed
extract
|