Effects of Corchorus olitorius Extract on Certain Antioxidants and Biochemical Indices in Sodium Arsenite Exposed Rats

Objective: Corchorus olitorius is a household leafy vegetable with several medicinal uses. The anti-oxidative and certain biochemical indices of the methanol leaves extract in an in-vivo and in-vitro experiments were studied. Method: Phenols, Flavonoids were determined by Folin Ciocalteu and Aluminium chloride assays while Hydroxyl, 1-1-diphenyl-2picrylhydraxyl (DPPH) radicals and Malondialdehyde levels measured using deoxyribose assay, DPPH and the reaction of Malondialdehyde with Thiobarbituric acid. Cholesterol, reduced glutathione (GSH) and enzyme assays were carried out using standardized methods. Results: Extract showed antioxidant activities as it scavenged hydroxyl, DPPH radicals and inhibited lipid peroxidation respectively in-vitro. Animals fed with extract for 21 days at 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg body weight significantly (p<0.05) decrease MDA in a concentrationdependent manner by 2.02, 1.34, 0.76 and 0.02 mg/ml respectively. However, significant increases (p<0.05) in the tissue level of GSH was observed (52.80, 68.7, 81.80 and 88.80 mg/ml). Furthermore, Extract at 100 mg/kg modulate sodium arsenite induced hepatotoxicity in rats, as combined treatment significantly (p<0.05) decreases cholesterol and marker enzymes activities (Alanine aminotransferase, Aspartate aminotransferase and Gamma glutamyl transferase) compared with intoxicated animals. Extract contained various amount of phenol and flavonoids from (2.250-3.500 mg/g) and (1.650-1.880 mg/g) respectively. Conclusions: Extract shows anti oxidative properties reduces MDA and cholesterol level, enhance GSH increase and exhibit hepatoprotective ability, suggestive of their bioactive polyphenol components which may be explored as therapeutic agent for management, prevention and treatment of age – related diseases. Address for