EFFECT OF AQUEOUS AND METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF PILIOSTIGMA RETICULATUM ON SODIUM FLUORIDE-INDUCED OXIDATIVE STRESS IN MALE WISTAR RATS

Abstract

Daily exposure to sodium fluoride has been associated with oxidative stress. The effects of both aqueous and methanolic extracts of Piliostigma reticulatum on hematology and on oxidative stress markers in cardiac, liver, and kidney tissues were evaluated in this study. Twenty-four adult male Wistar rats were grouped into six groups of four animals each: group 1 (control) received distilled water only, group 2 received aqueous extract of Piliostigma reticulatum (APR) (100 mg/kg/day), Group 3 received methanolic extract of Piliostigma reticulatum (MPR) (100 mg/kg/day), group 4 received sodium fluoride (NAF) (600 mg/L) + APR, group 5 received NAF (600 mg/L) + MPR and group 6 received NAF alone for 2 weeks. Results from this study show that NAF and treatments with APR and MPR did not significantly alter the hematological parameters in rats. However, there was a significant increase (P < 0.05) in cardiac, liver, and kidney MDA. Also, there was a decrease (P < 0.05) in cardiac, liver, and kidney catalase, SOD, and GSH. Treatment with both APR and MPR ameliorated the oxidative stress in these organs. Histopathological examination reveals the presence of distortion of hepatic structure with extensive vacuolations in the sodium fluoride-treated group, which was ameliorated with APR and MPR treatments. In conclusion, aqueous and methanolic extracts of Piliostigma reticulatum ameliorated cardiac and hepato-renal oxidative stress induced by NAF in Wistar rats.