Co-administration of sodium arsenite and ethanol: Protection by aqueous extract of Aframomum longiscapum seeds

Abstract

Background:Human exposure to arsenicals, its toxicity, subsequent adverse effects on health has been widely reported and implicated in the etiology of several cancers.Objectives:We investigated the effect of Aframomum longiscapum (AL) extracts on sodium arsenite (SA) and ethanol (EtOH)-induced toxicities in rats.Materials and Methods:Male rats were fed SA, EtOH, and SA + EtOH, with or without AL for 5 weeks. Hepatic transaminases were assessed in serum, micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (mPCEs) from bone marrow, liver histopathology, and semen quality from caudal epididymis were assessed, respectively, and data were represented as mean ± SD, analyzed by ANOVA.Results:SA, SA + EtOH, and AL alone induced mPCEs formation in rat bone marrow (P < 0.05). A decrease (P < 0.05) in mPCEs in AL + SA + EtOH-treated rats compared with SA, and SA + EtOH was observed. SA and EtOH treatment increased serum hepatic transaminases (P < 0.05) relative to control, while AL treatment resulted in a decrease (P < 0.05). AL, SA, and SA + EtOH treatment decreased sperm count and motility (P < 0.05) with no effect on viability compared with control. Semen morphological abnormalities showed no difference (P > 0.05) across the treated groups. Hepatic histopathology indicated mild mononuclear cellular infiltration in the control group. Necrotic hepatocyte were observed in SA, SA + EtOH treated groups, with no visible lesions seen in the AL treated group. Mild hepatocyte congestion of the portal vessels was observed in AL + SA + EtOH-treated groups.Conclusion:The AL extract exhibited anticlastogenic and hepatoprotective potentials, reduced sperm count, motility, with no effect on viability and morphology. Our findings suggest that AL may mitigate the effect of arsenicals-induced clastogenicity implicated in chemical carcinogenesis.

Chemical composition, antioxidant properties and hepatoprotective effects of chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) decoction extract against alcohol-induced oxidative stress in rat

“…The induction of ALT and AST activity following acute alcohol intoxication has been well documented (for review, see Ceccanti et al 2006). However, it is very important to note that any observed increase in the plasma of these enzymes necessarily results from hepatocyte damage leading their release into extracellular space (Owumi et al 2012). Thus, we can suggest that chamomile extract might prevent the activation of phagocytic Kupffer cells by decreasing the formation of inflammatory and fibrogenic mediators, as seen with Camellia sinenesis (Zhong et al 2003).…”

“…* p < 0.05, *** p < 0.001 compared to control group; # p < 0.05, ## p < 0.01, ### p < 0.001 compared to EtOH group CDE, chamomile decoction extract. oxidative stress through mechanisms associated with EtOH metabolism that generates reactive oxygen species (Owumi et al 2012). However, ROS produced by cellular metabolic activities, and the alcohol-inducible enzymes can reduce cellular antioxidant defense capacity resulting in oxidative stress (Dey and Cederbaum 2006).…”

Inhibitory Effects of Sodium Arsenite and Acacia Honey on Acetylcholinesterase in Rats

“…Serum cholinesterases presumably originate in liver cells but other organs also contribute to the pool of these enzymes in the plasma [ 31 ]. Activity of serum AChE could be an index of liver function and low activity of the enzyme has been reported in so many liver dysfunctions like jaundice and cirrhosis [ 3 , 32 ]. Our findings indicated that the sodium arsenite and/or Acacia honey could lower the serum levels of AChE, though insignificantly, which seemingly indicate hepatotoxicity.…”

“…Consumption of arsenicals such as sodium arsenite through contaminated water is prevalent in many areas of the world [ 2 ]. Sodium arsenite is a clastogen causing chromosomal breakage [ 3 ], which interacts with other substances like metals to potentiate its effects [ 4 ]. Its administration has been reported to compromise the integrity of the liver of mouse, rat, fish, and goat [ 5 – 7 ].…”

Potential biological activity of acacia honey

“…Cancer, an abnormal cell growth characterized by high proliferative potential is a leading cause of death worldwide and its development is frequently associated with DNA damage, aneuploidy, and nonrandom chromosome aberrations all of which can result from exposure to environmental chemicals/genetic alterations (14,25,26). Cancer chemoprevention has been defined as the administration of agents to prevent induction or to delay the progression of cancer (25), or as the reversal of carcinogenesis at a premalignant stage (27).…”