Anti-inflammatory and Anti-oxidative Effects of Flavonoids-rich Extract of Cymbopogon citratus in Sodium Nitrite (NaNO2) Induced Oxidative Stress in Wistar Rats
O. T. Adedosu *
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P.M.B. 4000, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.
G. E. Adeleke
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P.M.B. 4000, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.
J. A. Badmus
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P.M.B. 4000, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.
I. A. Ojeleye
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P.M.B. 4000, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.
A. H. Fatoberu
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P.M.B. 4000, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: Environmental exposure to radical generating agents from foods, drugs and cosmetics is a major concern in diseases associated with oxidative stress using natural products. This study investigated the effects of flavonoids-rich extracts of Cymbopogon citratus on oxidative and inflammatory markers in sodium nitrite exposed rats.
Study Design: Twenty four male Wistar rats averagely weighing 175 g used for this study were treated for one week, randomly selected into four groups, A-D. Group A (Control), Group B (Sodium nitrite only, 80 mg/kg.bw), Group C (treated extract at 100 mg/kg.bw. and intoxicated with sodium nitrite, 80 mg/kg.bw) and Group D (extract only, 100 mg/kg.bw).
Methodology: Serum and liver total protein (TP) concentrations, Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, Catalase (CAT) and Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, White blood cell count (WBC), C-Reactive protein (CRP) and Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α),were determined using international standardized methods.
Results: Results showed that Sodium nitrite significantly (P = .05) decreases liver total protein concentrations, GSH levels, CAT and SOD activities with corresponding significant (P=.05) increases in serum total proteins, WBC count, TNF-α, CRP and MDA levels. However, extract alone (group D) elicited significant (P=.05) increases in serum protein, WBC count, GSH level, CAT and SOD activities and significant decreases in serum TP,TNF-α, CRP, and MDA levels. Interestingly, the combined treatment (group C) showed similar trends with extracts as the parameters were significantly reversed to their control levels compared with group A and B.
Conclusion: Results are indicative of the toxic effects of sodium nitrite, its potential to induced apoptosis by up regulation of TNF-α and extract ability to boost anti-oxidant status, elicits modulatory, anti–inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects suggestive of its rich-flavonoids and medicinal values in preventing diseases associated with environmental toxins.
Keywords: Anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, Cymbopogon citrates, sodium nitrite