PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF LEAF EXTRACTS OF Hydrocotyl bonariensis (ARALIACEAE) AGAINST LIVER AND KIDNEY DAMAGE IN RATS FOLLOWING THE CONSUMPTION OF GALACTOSE RICH DIET

Abstract

The study investigated the efficacy of Hydrocotyl bonariensis leave extract in providing tissue protection against dietary galactose-induced tissue oxidative stress. Fifty six (56) weanling rats were employed in the study. The control group was placed on AIN-93 diet while the diet of the test groups was supplemented with 30% galactose. Mechanisms of action of the extract were determined by measuring the malondialdehyde level. The level of reduced glutathione (GSH), the activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were also determined. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels of tissues of animals fed galactose diet significantly increased (P < 0.05) when compared with the control. The liver had the highest level of malondialdehyde compared with the kidney. The level of GSH and the activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase were significantly reduced in the tissues of rats fed galactose diet. The extract reduced oxidative stress significantly in rats fed galactose diet. It also reduced the degree of tissues peroxidation, increased the level of GSH, tissue catalase and SOD activity. It therefore suggests that Hydrocotyl bonariensis protects against galactose.