Abstract

The present study aims to evaluate the protective effect of methanolic leaf extract (MSD) and flavonoid-rich leaf extract (FSD) of Synsepalum dulcificum on lead-acetate induced toxicity in Wistar albino rats. 45 animals were distributed into nine groups with five animals apiece. Group 1 served as the negative control and was given only distilled water throughout the course of the study. Group 2 served as the positive control group and was administered 50 mg/kg lead-acetate. Groups 3-8 were co-administered 50 mg/kg lead-acetate and various doses of the extracts. Group 9 was administered 40 mg/kg vitamin C in addition to 50 mg/kg lead-acetate. The study lasted for 14 days. Standard procedures were used to evaluate the haematological indices, serum total protein, urea, creatinine as well as marker enzymes in liver and kidney of the animals. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione-s-transferase (GST) activities were also estimated in the tissues. Results showed that the extracts especially the high doses significantly (P< 0.05) ameliorated the harmful effects of lead administration in the liver and kidney as well as in the hematological indices. The extract could therefore be considered as having protective effect on lead-induced toxicity in Wistar albino rats.

Key words: Glutathione, malondialdehyde, vitamin, flavonoid, biochemical.