Effects of a Fraction of the Methanol Extract of the Seeds of Abrus Precatorius on Malondialdehyde and Antioxidant Levels of Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats
Ebele Lauretta Iloanya *
Department of Applied Biochemistry, Faculty of Biosciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Okwesili Fred Chiletugo Nwodo
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Obiajulu Christian Ezeigwe
Department of Applied Biochemistry, Faculty of Biosciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Ogochukwu Prince Alaebo
Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.
Nnanyelugo Benneth Enemchukwu
Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana, P.M.B. 1007 Afikpo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Okwuchukwu Bibian Aziagba
Department of Botany, Faculty of Biosciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
Ifeanyi Sunday Okpani
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Biosciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Introduction: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of fraction 2 (F2) of methanol extract of the seeds of Abrus precatorius on malondialdehyde and antioxidant level of alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar albino rats.
Materials and Methods: The methanol extract of the seeds of A. precatorius Linn Fabaceae was fractionated by Sephadex G15. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal administration of alloxan at a dose of 150 mg/kg bodyweight. The phytochemical analysis and the biochemical parameters were investigated using standard diagnostic methods.
Results: Both qualitative and quantitative analysis of F2 revealed the presence of high amounts of alkaloids (2000 ± 80 mg/100 g), flavonoids (158 ± 17.6 mg/100 g) and tannins (258 ± 45 mg/100 g) but low concentration of saponins (18.3 ± 2.43 mg/100 g). The malondialdehyde (MDA) level of all the test groups and the group treated with the standard drug decreased significantly (p<0.05) compared with that of untreated diabetic group. However, the catalase activity in all the test groups significantly increased (p<0.05) while the activity of superoxide dismutase increased significantly (p<0.05) in groups administered 20mg/kg of the fraction and the group pre-treated with 10mg/kg of the fraction compared with the diabetic untreated group. Similarly, the result revealed a significant increase (p<0.05) in non-enzymatic antioxidants such as reduced glutathione and vitamin E of the rats treated with graded doses of F2 while vitamin C showed significant (p<0.05) increase in normal control groups and pre-treated groups compared with the diabetic untreated. Studies on membrane stabilization using hypotonicity-induced red blood cell haemolysis revealed that the F2 of the methanol extract of the seeds of A. precatorius Linn inhibited haemolysis in a dose-dependent manner.
Conclusion: The results obtained from this study revealed that the F2 fraction of the methanol extract of A. precatorius contain important phytochemicals found in the Fraction 2 (F2) however showed improvement in antioxidant defence as well as has a stabilizing effect on the membrane.
Keywords: Abrus precatorius, diabetes mellitus, antioxidants, oxidative stress, malondialdehyde