Journal of Natural Remedies

R. Nagashree , R. Latha , V. Karthikeyan

Abstract

Medicinal herbs are used in indigenous system of medicine for various diseases. Moringa oleifera has a high medicinal value which has been recognized. A study on the protective effect of Moringa oleifera leaf extract in acute arsenite induced toxicity in rats was evaluated. Moringa oleifera leaf extract (200 mg/kg body weight/day) obtained by cold maceration technique, was administrated orally to the albino rats. Its protective effect was determined on sodium arsenite induced changes in the blood cell counts, hemoglobin, cholesterol and sugar. Blood sample was collected by tail vein puncture. Rats given sodium arsenite only produced significant decrease in blood haemoglobin, red blood cell and white blood cell counts and increased the blood cholesterol and sugar levels when compared to control rats. Pretreatment with 200 mg/kg body weight of Moringa oleifera leaf extract markedly increased the blood cell counts and the haemoglobin. It also decreased the cholesterol and sugar values. The extract contains substances that acts as an antioxidant and prevents the damage produced by arsenite on various tissues.

Keywords

Lipid Peroxidation, Medicinal Herbs, Moringa oleifera

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R. Nagashree , R. Latha , C. Anand , V. Karthikeyan

Abstract

Objective: The study was undertaken to assess the antiperoxide effect of Hibiscus esculentus fruit on various tissues, blood cell counts and haemoglobin of arsenite exposed albino rats. Materials and methods: H.esculentus fruit extract (200 mg/kg body wt/day) obtained by continuous hot percolation in soxhlet apparatus and was administered orally to albino rats. Its protective effect was determined on sodium arsenite induced lipid peroxidation (LPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels of various tissues, blood cell counts and haemoglobin of rats. Results: A significant reduction in arsenic induced LPO in brain, heart, lungs and liver was observed after the administration of H.esculentus fruit extract. The blood lactate and SOD levels in tissues decreases when the extract was given with arsenite. There was a significant increase in RBC, WBC, neutrophils, lymphocytes, haemoglobin and percentage of body weight in rats administered with H.esculentus. Conclusion: These results indicate that people exposed to higher levels of arsenite can increase their intake of H.esculentus, as the quercetin 3-O-glucoside which is the major antioxidant of H.esculentus has a possible protective role on LPO status of certain tissues and blood cell counts of arsenic exposed rats.

Keywords

Hibiscus Esculentus, Antioxidants, Lipid Peroxidation, Arsenic Exposure, Thiobarbituric Acid Reacting Substances

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