ABSTRACT:The search for potential ameliorative substances of Cadmium (Cd) toxicity is ongoing. Thus, this study was aimed at investigating the effects of Hibiscus Sabdarrifa L. anthocyanins (HSA) on Cd-induced oxidative stress in wistar rats. Anthocyanins were extracted from H. sabdariffa calyces using standard protocols and were identified with a Agilent HPLC system (model-LC 1100 series).Thirty wistar rats (185±5.2g) divided into Five (5) groups and were treated for fifteen days: Group 1: control, Group 2: Cd alone, 3mg/kg b wt, Group 3: HSA alone, 3mg/kg b wt, Group 4: HSA Pre-Cd -HSA (3g/ kg b wt for ten consecutive days) and Cd (3mg/ kg b wt) for the remaining five days, Group 5: HSA Post-Cd -Cd (3mg/kg b wt) for the first five consecutive days then HSA (3g/ kg b wt) for the remaining ten days. Comparison of HPLC chromatogram of anthocyanin extract of H. sabdariffa calyces with published data revealed the presence of malvidin-3-O-glucoside, delphinidin-3-monoglucoside, cyanidin-3-monoglucoside and petunidin-3-monoglucoside. Exposure to Cd significantly reduced (p<0.05) GSH levels and glutathione-s-transferase activity but significantly (P<0.05) increased lipid peroxidation in the plasma and tissues of rats. Cd-exposure also caused a significant decrease (p<0.05) in tissue SOD and CAT, but pre-treatment and post-treatment with HSA improved tissue SOD, CAT and GST activitieswith concomitant increase in GSH levels and reduction in tissue lipid peroxidation. This confirms the antioxidant capacity of H. sabdariffa anthocyanins in ameliorating Cd-induced oxidative stress when administered pre and post Cd exposure.

Hibiscus sabdarrifa L. extracts contain powerful antioxidants that can ameliorate Cadmium (Cd)-induced reproductive toxicity, though the active molecules responsible have not been categorically stated. This study is therefore aimed at exploring changes induced by H. sabdariffa L anthocyanins (HSA) in reproductive hormones of cadmium-exposed rats. Twenty four adult male wistar rats (185±5.2g) were randomly divided into four groups and where treated for 15 days: A: control, B: Cd alone, 3mg/kg b wt, C: HSA alone, 3mg/kg b wt, Group 4: HSA Pre-CD: HSA (3g/ kg b wt for ten consecutive days) and Cd (3mg/ kg b wt) for five days. Comparison of the serum testosterone level of the control group with that of the Cd alone group showed a significant reduction (P<0.05) in the level of serum testosterone but the administration of HSA before Cd exposure significantly reverted the decrease in serum testosterone. Conversely, there was significant increase (P<0.05) in the level of serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) after cadmium administration (Group C) compared to animals in the control group (Group A) and those maintained on only H. sabdariffa anthocyanin alone. This decrease in serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) occasioned by Cd exposure was significantly (P<0.05) reversed by the administration of H. sabdariffa anthocyanin before Cd exposure. This was also observed for Luteinizing hormone. The results confirm the reproductive toxicity of Cd and the reported antioxidant capacities of anthocyanins. In addition, it gives credence to prominent role attributed to HSA in the antioxidant prowess of H. Sabdarriffa extracts.

There is increase in combined ingestion of alcoholic beverages and energy drinks, but studies on their combined effects on tissue oxidative enzymes are limited. Hence, the present study examined the changes in tissue oxidative enzymes (aldehyde oxidase, AO, EC 1.2.3.1; xanthine oxidase, XO, EC 1.17.3.2; sulphite oxidase, SO, EC 1.8.3.1; and monoamine oxidase, MO, EC 1.4.3.4) in the liver, kidney, heart, brain and testes of rats exposed to red bull energy drink and ethanol. Twenty eight Wistar rats (190±5g) were used for the study. The animals were divided into four groups. Group 1 which was fed with only grower's mash and water served as control. In addition to the normal dietand water rats in Group 2 receivedRed bull energy drink (3.5ml/kg body weight), while those in Group 3 received Ethanol (1.25g/kg body weight) by intubation. Rats in Group 4 received bothred bull and ethanol as in Groups 2 and 3.Consumption of red bull significantly (P<0.05) decreased liver AO activity as compared to control. The results showed that red bull, ethanol or their combination had variable effects on tissue oxidative enzymes as alteration was observed in the activity of the oxidative enzymes. The effect of a combination of red bull and ethanol was more pronounced in the liver MO, kidney AO, liver XO and liver SO than either red bull or ethanol alone. In conclusion the present study has shown that consumption of red bull, ethanol or their combination may alter the ability of tissue oxidative enzymes to metabolize zenobiotics.