Aug 2026· European Journal of Medicinal Plants· Vol 37, pp. 26-39· 0 citations
TL;DR
Hydromethanolic leaf extracts of Carica papaya and Chromolaena odorata protected against cadmium-induced intestinal oxidative injury by reducing cadmium burden, improving antioxidant status, and preserving intestinal tissue architecture.
Abstract
Aims: To evaluate the protective effects of hydromethanolic leaf extracts of Carica papaya and Chromolaena odorata, administered individually and in combination, against cadmium-induced intestinal oxidative damage in Wistar rats.
Study Design: Experimental animal study.
Place and Duration of Study: Animal House, Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, between February 2025 and October 2025.
Methodology: Forty-eight albino Wistar rats were randomly assigned to eight groups (n = 6). Intestinal injury was induced by oral administration of cadmium chloride (20 mg/kg body weight) for 14 days, followed by treatment with hydromethanolic leaf extracts of Carica papaya (300 and 600 mg/kg), Chromolaena odorata (250 and 500 mg/kg), or their combined extracts (300 and 600 mg/kg) for 14 days. Phytochemical constituents of both plants were identified using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, while heavy metal contents were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Serum cadmium concentration, intestinal oxidative stress biomarkers (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and malondialdehyde), and histopathological changes were evaluated using standard analytical methods. Data were analysed using one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey's post hoc test at P < 0.05.
Results: Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry revealed the presence of diverse bioactive phytochemicals in both plant extracts, while heavy metal concentrations were within recommended safety limits. Cadmium exposure significantly increased serum cadmium concentration and malondialdehyde levels while significantly reducing superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities compared with the normal control (P < 0.05). Treatment with the hydromethanolic leaf extracts significantly reduced serum cadmium concentration, restored antioxidant enzyme activities, decreased lipid peroxidation, and improved intestinal histoarchitecture in a dose-dependent manner. The high-dose C. papaya extract showed the greatest recovery of superoxide dismutase activity, whereas the high-dose combined extract was most effective in reducing lipid peroxidation and improving intestinal histoarchitecture.
Conclusion: Hydromethanolic leaf extracts of Carica papaya and Chromolaena odorata protected against cadmium-induced intestinal oxidative injury by reducing cadmium burden, improving antioxidant status, and preserving intestinal tissue architecture. While the high-dose C. papaya extract produced the greatest recovery of superoxide dismutase activity, the combined extract showed marked protective effects, particularly in reducing lipid peroxidation and preserving intestinal histoarchitecture, suggesting its potential as a phytotherapeutic approach against cadmium-induced intestinal toxicity.
It is indicated that combining papaya, neem, and garlic extracts may provide greater hepatoprotection than administering the individual extracts against DEN-induced liver injury, and supports further mechanistic and preclinical evaluation of this polyherbal formulation before its potential therapeutic application in liver-disease management.
Egeonu Us, Umaru I. J., Izam Ed et al.· African Journal of Clinical...· 0 citations
Background: Plant-derived extracts are increasingly investigated as alternative for managing diabetes-associated hyperlipidaemia. This study evaluated the phytochemical contents and effects of ethanol extract of Clinacanthus nutans leaves on lipid profile of alloxan-induced diabetic rats.
Methods: Leaves of C. nutans were processed and extracted using standard ethanol extraction procedure after air-drying at 25 °C. Phytochemical contents were determined using established method. A 100 mg/mL stock solution was prepared and administered orally through an intragastric tube for 21 days. Diabetes was induced in Wistar rats using alloxan. Twenty-five Wistar rats were randomly assigned into five groups (n = 5): three groups received 200, 500, and 800 mg/kg of the extract; one group received 500 µg/kg of glibenclamide; and one group served as untreated control. Lipid profiles were determined using standard methods. Data were analysed using mean ± SD and paired t-test at p < 0.05.
Ijioma Okorie, H. Ezenwa, Joy Ize Dennis-Ajai et al.· International journal of res...· 0 citations
Carica papaya (C. papaya Linn) is a medicinal plant that is well researched and documented for its many pharmacological properties, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties; it is also believed to be rich in essential minerals, nutrients and food substances. In this study, the Maximum Tolerable Dose of the hydro-methanolic leaf extracts, selected mineral elements, selected heavy metals, total, essential and non-essential amino acids, and the proximate composition of the leaves of Carica papaya were determined. The leaves were harvested in triplicate from three (3) different farms in Rumuekini, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria, West Africa, and the plant leaves were identified in the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The Maximum Tolerable Dose (MTD) procedure used a staged acute-toxicity approach adapted from Chinedu et al. (2013), with reference to Lorke (1983) and OECD Test Guideline 425 (OECD, 2022). The hydro-methanolic leaf extraction was performed using the Soxhlet method according to the standard method described by Sofowora (1981). Selected mineral elements (Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium, Iron, Selenium, Calcium & Copper) and heavy metals (Cadmium, Lead, Nickel, Chromium, Aluminum, Arsenic & Mercury) in the leaves of C. papaya were assessed using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS), Agilent FS 240 AA. The total, essential and non-essential amino acids were determined using Gas Chromatography Flame Ionization Detection (GCFID), Agilent 6890 technologies. The proximate analysis was performed using the AOAC method. The mineral element, heavy metal, amino acid and proximate analyses were performed on leaves harvested from the three (3) farms. The results revealed that the MTD for the hydro-methanolic leaf extracts of C. papaya was 5,000 mg/kg b. wt. Among the mineral elements in C. papaya, Sodium (10.68 ± 0.62 ppm) was the most concentrated; other elements included Calcium (8.23 ± 0.14 ppm), Potassium (6.95 ± 0.18 ppm) and Magnesium (6.27 ± 0.14 ppm). The heavy metal composition of the leaves of C. papaya included Lead (0.11 ± 0.00 ppm), Arsenic (0.07 ± 0.00 ppm) and Cadmium (0.02 ± 0.00 ppm). The heavy metals determined were within WHO permissible limits. The amino acid analysis revealed a total amino acid level of 78.29 ± 1.18 mg/kg; other amino acid fractions included Serine (11.50 ± 0.06 mg/kg) and Threonine (10.15 ± 0.06 mg/kg). The proximate analysis revealed Carbohydrate (41.39 ± 1.18%), Protein (24.78 ± 0.96%), Crude Fiber (14.74 ± 0.46%) and Crude fat (7.26 ± 0.28%). Hence, the leaves of Carica papaya were non-toxic, safe and non-lethal at 5,000 mg/kg b. wt. The heavy metals were within WHO acceptable limits, and the leaves were a rich source of mineral elements, amino acids (Essential and Non-Essential), and stable food materials (Carbohydrates, Proteins, etc.). Therefore, Carica papaya leaves could be incorporated as a drug, supplement or nutraceutical for human and mammalian use.
Francis Agwanyeokhai Anyia, I. Elekima, Donatus Onwuli et al.· Journal of disease and globa...· 0 citations
Background: Aspirin is widely used for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties but may produce tissue injury, including hepatic alterations at high or repeated exposure. Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) contains bioactive compounds with antioxidant and potentially protective properties. This study investigated the biochemical and histological effects of ethanolic S. lycopersicum fruit extract on aspirin-induced hepatotoxicity in adult male Wistar rats.
Methods: Twenty-five adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups of five animals. Group A served as the normal control, while Group B received aspirin (300 mg/kg). Groups C, D, and E received aspirin (300 mg/kg) followed by ethanolic tomato fruit extract at 100, 500, and 1000 mg/kg, respectively, for 14 days. Serum AST, ALT, and ALP, relative liver weight, body weight, food and fluid intake were assessed. Liver tissues were examined histologically following haematoxylin and eosin staining.
Results: AST was significantly higher in Groups C, D, and E than in the aspirin-only group (P<0.05). ALP was significantly increased in Groups C and D but not Group E. ALT showed no significant differences among groups. Relative liver weight did not differ significantly. Histologically, the aspirin-only group showed moderate hepatocellular degeneration, inflammatory-cell aggregation, hepatocellular clearing, and cytoplasmic ground-glass changes. Extract-treated groups demonstrated moderate hepatic regeneration with generally mild inflammatory changes.
Conclusion: Ethanolic S. lycopersicum fruit extract was associated with histological evidence of hepatic regeneration following aspirin exposure, although biochemical findings did not demonstrate consistent hepatoprotection. Further studies incorporating oxidative-stress markers and phytochemical characterization are warranted.
E. O. Nweke, E. Okoye, A. Obi et al.· IPS Journal of Toxicology· 0 citations
Phenylhydrazine is a hydrazine derivative widely used experimentally to induce oxidative and haemolytic tissue injury in animal models. This study investigated the ameliorative effect of ethanolic extract of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) leaves on phenylhydrazine-induced gastric toxicity in adult male Wistar rats. Twenty-five adult male Wistar rats (140-220 g) were randomly assigned into five groups of five animals each. Group A (control) received feed and distilled water ad libitum; Group B received phenylhydrazine only (40 mg/kg); Group C received ethanolic extract of A. esculentus only (100 mg/kg); Group D received phenylhydrazine (40 mg/kg) co-administered with the extract (100 mg/kg); and Group E received phenylhydrazine (40 mg/kg) co-administered with a higher dose of the extract (200 mg/kg). Administration was carried out daily by oral cannula for 21 days. Body weight, relative stomach weight, and gastric histoarchitecture were assessed at the end of the study. The median lethal dose (LD50) of the extract, determined by Lorke's method, exceeded 5000 mg/kg, indicating a wide margin of safety. Rats induced with phenylhydrazine alone (Group B) showed a non-significant reduction in body weight and relative stomach weight, alongside severe histological gastric ulceration with marked inflammatory cell infiltration of the submucosa. Co-administration of the extract with phenylhydrazine (Groups D and E) was associated with visibly reduced ulceration and progressively improved mucosal healing relative to Group B, with the higher extract dose (Group E) showing the more advanced histological recovery. These findings suggest that ethanolic extract of A. esculentus exerts a dose-related gastroprotective and ameliorative effect against phenylhydrazine-induced gastric injury, supporting its potential as a dietary adjunct in the management of oxidative gastric mucosal damage.
E. O. Nweke, Benedict Onyekachukwu Ekwuno, A. Obi et al.· IPS Journal of Basic and Cli...· 1 citation
Background: Phenylhydrazine (PHZ) is a chemical agent commonly used to induce haemolytic anaemia and associated haematological disturbances in experimental animals. Abelmoschus esculentus (okra) contains bioactive constituents that may have protective effects against toxicant-induced alterations. This study investigated the effects of ethanolic leaf extract of A. esculentus (EEA) on selected physiological and haematological parameters following PHZ-induced toxicity in Wistar rats.
Methods: Wistar rats were divided into five experimental groups: Group A served as the control, Group B received PHZ only, Group C received 100 mg/kg EEA, Group D received PHZ (40 mg/kg) plus 100 mg/kg EEA, and Group E received PHZ (40 mg/kg) plus 200 mg/kg EEA. Body weight, feed intake, relative spleen weight, red blood cell (RBC) count, haemoglobin (Hb), and packed cell volume (PCV) were assessed. Data were analysed using Student's t-test and analysis of variance followed by post hoc LSD multiple comparison, with significance set at p < 0.05.
Results: PHZ administration significantly reduced RBC count, Hb concentration, and PCV compared with the control group (p < 0.05). EEA administration significantly improved these parameters compared with the PHZ-only group. RBC, Hb, and PCV values increased to 6.31–6.78 × 10¹²/L, 13.43–15.47 g/dL, and 39.93–45.40%, respectively, across the EEA-treated groups. PHZ also significantly reduced feed intake during Weeks 1 and 2, whereas EEA administration significantly increased feed intake during these periods. Body weight increased across all groups, although the increase was not significant in the PHZ + 100 mg/kg EEA group. Relative spleen weight increased significantly in the higher-dose EEA group.
Conclusion: Ethanolic A. esculentus leaf extract ameliorated PHZ-associated haematological alterations and improved feed intake in Wistar rats, suggesting potential protective activity against PHZ-induced toxicity.
E. O. Nweke, Mmesoma Charity Chukwunwike, A. Obi et al.· Journal of Tropical Medicine...· 1 citation
We use cookies to run the site and, with your consent, for analytics and to show ads.
See our Cookie Policy.
