GARCINIA KOLA SEED AND VITAMIN E AMELIORATES ACETAMINOPHEN INDUCED OXIDATIVE STRESS IN ALBINO RATS

Waribo, H.A, Bartimaeus, E. S and Nwanjo, H.U

ABSTRACT

Acetaminophen, a widely available drug used to treat fever and pains has been reported to exhibit toxic side effects. The study investigated the ameliorating effects of aqueous Garcinia kola seed extract and vitamin E on oxidative stress induced by acetaminophen in albino rats. The results showed that the acetaminophen induced rats were subjected to oxidative stress as was shown by the extent of lipid peroxidation (high malondialdehyde levels) and marked reduction of enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase) levels in the serum when compared with the control. Pretreatment with varied concentration of aqueous Garcinia kola seed extract (800mg/kg, 100mg/kg) and vitamin E (50mg/kg, 25mg/kg) by the oral gavage method for 7 days prior to acetaminophen intraperitoneal administration (800mg) resulted in significant decrease (p<0.05) of malondialdehyde level, increased levels of the activities of SOD, CAT and GPX in the serum thus resulting in reducing the free radicals formation in the blood of the rat. The combined form of pretreatment showed no synergistic effect when compared with the singly pretreatment with either Garcinia kola or vitamin E. These observations demonstrate that aqueous Garcinia kola seed extract and vitamin E possesses antioxidant properties that ameliorates oxidative stress induced by acetaminophen.

Keywords: Garcinia kola, Vitamin E, Acetaminophen, Pretreatment, Oxidative Stress, Albino Rats.