Sarah O Nwozo

Publications (2)2.88 Total impact

• Article: Hepatoprotective effect of aqueous extract of Aframomum melegueta on ethanol-induced toxicity in rats.

  Sarah O Nwozo, Babatunji E Oyinloye
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  ABSTRACT: In recent years there have been remarkable developments in the prevention of diseases, especially with regards to the role of free radicals and antioxidants. Ethanol-induced oxidative stress appears to be one mechanism by which ethanol causes liver injury. The protective effect of aqueous plant extract of Aframomum melegueta on ethanol-induced toxicity was investigated in male Wistar rats. The rats were treated with 45 % ethanol (4.8 g/kg b.w.t.) for 16 days to induce alcoholic diseases in the liver. The activities of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and triglyceride were monitored and the histological changes in liver examined in order to evaluate the protective effects of the plant extract. Hepatic malondialdehyde and reduced glutathione, as well as superoxide dismutase and glutathione-S-transferase activities were determined for the antioxidant status. Chronic ethanol administration resulted in a statistically significant elevation of serum alanine aminotransferases and triglyceride levels, as well as a decrease in reduced glutathione and superoxide dismutase which was dramatically attenuated by the co-administration of the plant extract. Histological changes were related to these indices. Co-administration of the plant extract suppressed the elevation of lipid peroxidation, restored the reduced glutathion, and enhanced the superoxide dismutase activity. These results highlight the ability of Aframomum melegueta to ameliorate oxidative damage in the liver and the observed effects are associated with its antioxidant activities.
  Acta biochimica Polonica 08/2011; 58(3):355-8. · 1.49 Impact Factor
• Article: Hypolipidemic and antioxidant potentials of Xylopia aethiopica seed extract in hypercholesterolemic rats.

  Sarah O Nwozo, Bosede F Orojobi, Oluwatosin A Adaramoye
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  ABSTRACT: A short-term study was carried out on Wistar strain rats to determine the effects of Xylopia aethiopica extract on serum and postmitochondrial fractions (PMFs) of visceral organs in experimental hypercholesterolemia. Animals received normal diet and were administered cholesterol orally by intubations at a dose of 40 mg/kg/0.3 mL, plant extracts at 250 mg/kg, and cholestyramine (Questran®, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Hounslow, United Kingdom) at 0.26 g/kg five times a week for 8 consecutive weeks. Thereafter the hypolipidemic effects were assessed by measuring total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and triglycerides, whereas the extent of oxidative stress was assayed by measuring thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and enzymatic antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and reduced glutathione (GSH) in serum and PMF of liver and kidney. We assayed two liver biomarkers-alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase-for safety of X. aethiopica at the dose given in this experiment. Cholesterol feeding resulted in a significant increase (P < .05) in body weight of the hypercholesterolemic animals relative to control animals, and administration of X. aethiopica (250 mg/kg) caused a more than 60% reduction in body weight. Simultaneous treatment with X. aethiopica and Questran elicited 33.75% and 23.94% reductions, respectively, in serum cholesterol levels of hypercholesterolemic rats. In addition, the LDL-C level decreased significantly (P < .05) by 49.09% and 78.92% in serum and by 64.97% and 37.29% in the liver with cotreatment with the plant extract and Questran, respectively, compared to untreated hypercholesterolemic rats. X. aethiopica counteracted the decreases in enzymatic antioxidants, especially in GSH, where there was a greater than 300% increase compared with hypercholesterolemic animals. This study has shown that intake of X. aethiopica reduced the composition of lipids and produced a favorable lipid profile in the serum and PMF of visceral organs in experimental hypercholesterolemia.
  Journal of medicinal food 14(1-2):114-9. · 1.39 Impact Factor