Co-administration of sodium arsenite and ethanol: Protection by aqueous extract of Aframomum longiscapum seeds
Solomon E. Owumi1★, Oyeronke A. Odunola1, Mohammed Aliyu1★ Corresponding author
- 1Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Cancer Research Laboratories, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
CORRESPONDENCE
Solomon E. Owumi
*Address for correspondence: Dr. Solomon E. Owumi, Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Cancer Research Laboratories, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State - 200005, Nigeria.
Revised: 12-10-2011.
Volume 4, Issue 3 · pp. 154–160 · PUBLISHED October-December 2012 · DOI: 10.4103/0974-8490.99078
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ABSTRACT
Background Human exposure to arsenicals, its toxicity, subsequent adverse effects on health has been widely reported and implicated in the etiology of several cancers. Objectives We investigated the effect of Aframomum longiscapum (AL) extracts on sodium arsenite (SA) and ethanol (EtOH)- induced toxicities in rats. Materials and Methods Male rats were fed SA, EtOH, and SA + EtOH, with or without AL for 5 weeks. Hepatic transaminases were assessed in serum, micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (mPCEs) from bone marrow, liver histopathology, and semen quality from caudal epididymis were assessed, respectively, and data were represented as mean ± SD, analyzed by ANOVA. Results SA, SA + EtOH, and AL alone induced mPCEs formation in rat bone marrow (P < 0.05). A decrease (P < 0.05) in mPCEs in AL + SA + EtOH-treated rats compared with SA, and SA + EtOH was observed. SA and EtOH treatment increased serum hepatic transaminases (P < 0.05) relative to control, while AL treatment resulted in a decrease (P < 0.05). AL, SA, and SA + EtOH treatment decreased sperm count and motility (P < 0.05) with no effect on viability compared with control. Semen morphological abnormalities showed no difference (P > 0.05) across the treated groups. Hepatic histopathology indicated mild mononuclear cellular infiltration in the control group. Necrotic hepatocyte were observed in SA, SA + EtOH treated groups, with no visible lesions seen in the AL treated group. Mild hepatocyte congestion of the portal vessels was observed in AL + SA + EtOH-treated groups. Conclusion The AL extract exhibited anticlastogenic and hepatoprotective potentials, reduced sperm count, motility, with no effect on viability and morphology. Our findings suggest that AL may mitigate the effect of arsenicals-induced clastogenicity implicated in chemical carcinogenesis.
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Owumi, S. E., Odunola, O. A., & Aliyu, M. (2012). Co-administration of sodium arsenite and ethanol: Protection by aqueous extract of Aframomum longiscapum seeds. Pharmacognosy Research, 4(3), 154–160. https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-8490.99078