EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTS OF VERNONIA AMYGDALINA AND TELFAIRIA OCCIDENTALIS LEAVES SUPPLEMENTED DIET ON N-METHYL-N-NITROSOUREA (NMU) ADMINISTERED MALE WISTAR RATS
EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTS OF VERNONIA AMYGDALINA AND TELFAIRIA OCCIDENTALIS LEAVES SUPPLEMENTED DIET ON N-METHYL-N-NITROSOUREA (NMU) ADMINISTERED MALE WISTAR RATS
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Date
2014-12
Authors
ODEH, OCHAI EMMANUEL
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Abstract
This study investigated and compared the effects of diets supplemented with 2.5%, 5% and 10% Vernonia amygdalina and Telfairia occidentalis leaves on male Wistar rats intra-rectally exposed to N-Methyl-N-Nitrosourea (MNU). Animals were distributed equally into ten groups. Test animals were fed with supplemented diet and exposed to MNU, while un-exposed animals and fed with normal diet or supplemented diet were designated control groups. Animals were fed with respective supplemented diets for six weeks prior to intra-rectal exposure to MNU or normal saline, as the case may be, for ten weeks. Histopatholgical conditions of various organs and hematological parameters as well as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and some endogenous antioxidants’ levels were determined. Groups exposed to MNU showed elevated levels in CEA compared with normal control group. Groups fed Vernonia amygdalina and Telfairia occidentalis supplemented diets showed a corresponding decrease in CEA levels with increasing supplementation with 5% supplementation with Vernonia amygdalina having the overall highest lowering effect. Histological condition of colon showed that intensity of necrosis increased as supplementation increased. Increasing supplementation with Telfairia occidentalis stimulated liver and kidney catalase significantly (p˂0.05) but an inhibitory effect on liver Superoxide dismutase (SOD). Elevated liver SOD activity at 5% supplementation with Vernonia amygdalina was observed. 2.5% Vernonia amygdalina and Telfairia occidentalis significantly (p˂0.05) decreased animals’ liver TBARS while there was a significant (p˂0.05) lowering effect at higher Vernonia amygdalina supplementation (5% and 10%) in kidney of animal. Hematological finding showed evident evasive attempts by immune system of MNU-exposed animals fed with 2.5% and 5% Vernonia amygdalina
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and 2.5% and 10% Telfairia occidentalis. Elevated level of antioxidant enzymes in MNU controls apparently supports animals’ adaptive response theory to oxidative stress to a potent carcinogen such as MNU. The foregoing proposes Vernonia amygdalina and Telfairia occidentalis as potential dietary prophylactic agents, though within therapeutic doses.
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A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD
OF A
MASTER DEGREE IN BIOCHEMISTRY.
DEPARTMENT OF BIOCHEMISTRY
FACULTY OF SCIENCE,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY,
ZARIA, NIGERIA
Keywords
EVALUATION,, EFFECTS,, VERNONIA AMYGDALINA,, TELFAIRIA OCCIDENTALIS LEAVES SUPPLEMENTED DIET,, N-METHYL-N-NITROSOUREA,, (NMU),, ADMINISTERED MALE WISTAR RATS,