Evaluation Of Antioxidant And Hepatotoxic Effect Of Ethanol Extract Of Azadirachta Indica On Plasmodium Berghei Infected Mice

ABSTRACT

Many diseases are associated with oxidative stress caused by reactive oxygen species and free radicals generated in living cells. This work aims at investigating the in vitro antioxidant properties as well as in vivo toxicological properties of ethanol leaves extract of A. indica on plasmosiurn berghei — infected mice. The study investigated the antioxidant and free radical scavenging potential of ethanolic leaf extract of A. indica using different antioxidant models. A total of twenty (20) mice were used and grouped into five (5) groups with four (4) rats per group. Group I was the normal control while group 2 received combisunate antimalarial drug and group 3 received A. indica (600 mg/kg BW). Groups 4 and 5 received A. indica at 400 mg/kg BW and 200 mg/kg BW A. indica, respectively. The administration lasted for a period of three (3) days after which they were sacrificed and blood collected for biochemical tests. In vitro antioxidant assays shows that DPPH, NO and free radical scavenging properties of the plant showed significant effect. On the biochemical tests, ALT, AST and ALP as well as bilirubin levels were significantly(p<O.05) higher at the groups administered combisunate and A. indica at varying doses when compared with the normal group. From this study, it was seen that the plant extract has significant antioxidant property.