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Investigations of biological activities of aqueous extracts of Prosopis africana in rats with chemical-induced oxidative stress

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Abstract

Reactive oxygen species play significant roles in the development of many diseases. Beneficial actions of many plant extracts are associated with their antioxidant effects. Studies have also reported beneficial biological actions of aqueous extracts of Prosopis africana, including their antimicrobial and antidiabetic actions. However, mechanisms underlying these actions are poorly understood. This study conducted phytochemical screening of the plant extract and investigated its antioxidative and hepatoprotective effects in rats with acetaminophen-induced oxidative stress and liver injury. Aqueous extracts of P. africana extracts were prepared. Phytochemical analysis of the extract was conducted. Wistar rats were pre-treated with or without P. africana extracts (50–200 mg/kg bw) for 10 days prior to acetaminophen intoxication. Levels of thiobarbituric reactive substances, reduced ascorbic acid, catalase activities, enzyme markers of liver function, and erythrocyte levels of cholesterol and phospholipid were measured. Abundance of all phytochemicals screened was observed. Total flavonoid and total phenolic composition were estimated as 64.12 ± 2.11 mg QE/g and 43.17 ± 1.32 GE/g, respectively. Paracetamol (2 g/kg bw) increased serum TBARS (4.1-fold, P < 0.001), catalase activity (3.9-fold, P < 0.001), AST (5.8-fold, P < 0.001), ALT (6.5-fold, P < 0.001), and ALP (12.5-fold, P < 0.001) compared with saline-treated rats. Treatment of rats with extracts of P. africana inhibited the effect of paracetamol on TBARS (11.4–45.4%, P < 0.05–0.001), catalase activity (35.0% to 63.3%, P < 0.001), AST (21.9–60.9%, P < 0.001), ALT (20.1–67.7%, P < 0.001), and ALP (26.8–49.8%, P < 0.001) in a dose-treatment manner. Also, levels of reduced ascorbic acid increased in rats pre-treated with P. africana extracts at concentrations ≥ 100 mg/kg bw (1.3–1.5-fold, P < 0.01–P < 0.001. P. africana extract inhibited elevation of cholesterol (12.6–54.6%, P < 0.001) and phospholipids (24.8–36.2%, P < 0.001). These results indicated that therapeutic effect of P. africana may be linked with antioxidative and hepatoprotective effects.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, Bingham University, Karu, Nigeria

    Olusola O. Ladeji

  2. Diabetes Research Laboratory, Research Institute in Healthcare Sciences, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, UK

    Ayokunle B. Falana, Ayodele A. Falobi & Opeolu O. Ojo

  3. Department of Physiology, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria

    Luqman A. Olayaki

  4. Bioscience Research Education and Advisory Centre, Yola, Nigeria

    Luqman A. Olayaki, Iyiola I. Tella & Opeolu O. Ojo

  5. First Technical University, Ibadan, Nigeria

    Iyiola I. Tella

  6. Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematical Sciences, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, UK

    Constance C. Ojo

  7. IRiD Biosciences, Chatterley Centre, Ball Green, Stoke-on-Trent, UK

    Opeolu O. Ojo

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  1. Olusola O. Ladeji
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Correspondence to Opeolu O. Ojo.

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OOO received a project grant from Bioscience Research Education and Advisory Centre (Grant Number: RG22/145A).

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Ladeji, O.O., Falana, A.B., Falobi, A.A. et al. Investigations of biological activities of aqueous extracts of Prosopis africana in rats with chemical-induced oxidative stress. Comp Clin Pathol 32, 909–917 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-023-03501-1

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