Background: Alteration of mitochondrial viability by induction
of mitochondrial permeability transition (mPT) brings about
mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis. D. oliveri is a medicinal plant
traditionally used for the management of certain ailments including
tumours. Purpose: Investigating effects of Methanol Fraction of
D. oliveri Leaves (MFDO) on mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis.
Methods: Twenty-four male rats (70-90 g) were grouped into 4
according to intraperitoneal treatments (14 days): control (distilled
water), 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg MFDO. The mitochondrial ATPase and DNA
fragmentation were assayed by spectrophotometry. Apoptotic biomarkers
were assayed by immunohistochemistry. Caspases-3 and -9 were assessed
using ELISA. GC-MS was employed to identify compounds in MFDO.
Results: MFDO exhibited invitro antioxidant
properties through inhibition of DPPH and ferric radicals. There was
induction of mPT by 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg MFDO relative to control.
Furthermore, MFDO inhibited mLPO and enhanced mATPase relative to
control. Expression of Bax, p53 and cytochrome c proteins were
up-regulated, while Bcl-2 protein expression was down-regulated.
Caspase-3 and -9 activities were enhanced, and DNA fragmentation was
induced. GC-MS of MFDO revealed the presence of apoptosis-inducing
compounds. Conclusion: MFDO induces mitochondrial-mediated
apoptosis via alteration of rats liver mitochondrial viability. MFDO is
therefore relevant for drug development against diseases.