ABSTRACT

Free radicals have been known to be generated from various endogenous and exogenous sources and if left unchecked results to oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. However antioxidant defence system remains the key mechanism in ameliorating the damaging effect caused by these free radicals. This study was designed to investigate antioxidants (glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase) and haematological (red blood cell, white blood cell, packN cell volume and haemoglobin) indices of carbon tetrachioride (CCl4) induced male Wistar albino rat treated with methanol extract of Funtumia africana leaves. The acute toxicity study was carried out using 18 male Wistar albino mice while 28 male Wistar albino rats were used for the study of effect of the extratt on antioxidant and haematological indices. The rats were grouped into 7 groups of 4 rats each. Group 1 served as normal control and received a 1 mI/kg b. wt. of distilled water. Group 2 served as positive control that was induced with linl/kg b. wt. of CCl4 + olive oil (2:1, v/v) but not treated. Group 3 served as standard control induced with CCLIbut treated with a standard drug (silymarin). Groups 4 and 5 received 200 and 500 mg/kg b. wt of the extract respectively for 7 days prior to CCLI induction and after induction received the extract for the next 7 days. Groups 6 and 7 were CC14induced and received 200 and 500 mg/kg b. wt. of the extract respectively for the 14 days. Blood samples were collected from the rats on the 15th day and used for the antioxidant and haematological study. The result from the acute toxicity study of methanol extract of Funtumia africana leaves showed absence of death or adverse reaction which may be as a result of the methanol extract possessing low toxicity potential or that the methanol extract was relatively non-toxic. The study also showed that CCLIinduction resulted to a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the antioxidant enzyme activities (GPx, SOD and CAT) respectively and a significant (p > 0.05) increase in serum MDA concentration in group 2 untreated rats. However dose dependent athninisUtion of the methanol extract caused a significant (p> 0.05) incras in the antioxidant enzyme activities and consequently resulted to a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the level of serum malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in all groups that were treated with extract when compared to the group 2 untreated rats. On the otherhand, itwasobservedthatCCl4inductionresultedto asignificant(p<0.05)decrease inthe haematological indices (RBC and WBC) respectively but no significant change in Hb concentration and % PCV respectively in group 2 untreated rats. However, treatment with the methanol extract resulted to a significant increase in the levels of haematological indices (RBC and WBC) respectively in all groups that received the extract when compared to the group 2 untreated rats. The findings suggest that the methanol extract of Funtumia africana leaves possess antioxidant properties which could effectively prevent oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation and ameliorate damage and associated health consequences resulting from activity of excess free radicals, if taking in adeqnatt concentration.