Invitro Antioxidant Properties Of Bitter Leaf {Vernonia Amygdalind) Stem And The Effect Of Extract Of Bitter Leaf {Vernonia Amygdalind) Stem On The Antioxidant Status In Normal And Monosodium Glutamate Intoxicated Rats.:- Kalu, Uchechukwu

ABSTRACT vii Various methods employed in evaluating antioxidant activities of various samples gives varying results depending on the specificity of the free radical or oxidant used as a reactant. This study investigated the antioxidant/radical scavenging properties of the ethanolic extract of Vernoniaamygdalinastems and its effects on the toxicity of monosodium glutamate (MSG) in male wister albino rats. Monosodium glutamate, a salt of an acidic amino acid, glutamate, is widely used as a flavor enhancing food additive. Male albino rats were randomly divided into five groups each consisting of four albino rats. Group A rats served as the normal control and were subjected to feed and water daily for a period of 14 days. MSG toxicity was induced in-vivo to all animals of Groups B, D and E orally by administering 0.012g /ml of body weight of MSG once a day for a period of 14days. Group C, D and E were orally administered the plant extract of 0.0015g/ml of B.W, O.OOlg/ml of B.W and 0.002g/ml of B.W respectively once daily for the same period.The result of this study shows that animals treated with this extract significantly increase (P<0.05) in MDA content, decrease in GPx content, decrease in SOD and CAT activities. The DPPH scavenging activity, TAC and FRAP were evaluated. The result showing a significant (P<0.05) competitive activity of its DPPH scavenger when compared to a standard, Vit.C (97.75±0.02); a significant differences (P<0.05) in the TAC at different concentration level, 31.25pg/ml (1.43±0.03) bearing the minimum absorbance up to lOOOpg/ml (7.68±0.03) bearing the maximum when compared with an ascorbic acid equivalent. There is an increase in the FRAP level from the minimum concentration 15.25pg/ml (0.18±0.01) to the maximum concentration of lOOOpg/ml (0.24±0.02). Treatment with V. amygdalina shows a considerable decrease in the toxicity effect and reduction in oxidative stress parameters.