Comparative study of tissue oxidative stress in hydrocotyl bonarienssis treated rats fed with dietary galactose

Abstract

Studies on toxicity of galactose and its management have been largely concentrated on the lens. The present study compare the oxidative stress that occurred in various tissues of rats placed on dietary galactose and simultaneously administered with different doses of Hydrocotyl bonariensis leave extract. Male rats weanling rats placed on dietary galactose and administered (orally) with different doses of the extract were used in the study. After four (4) weeks of treatment a significant increased level of lens and liver peroxidation with reduced activity of catalase, superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione (GSH) level was observed in rats placed on dietary galactose, whereas the kidney was not significantly affected (though superoxide dismutase activity of the kidney increases). Administration of 500mgKg-1 of the extract lowered the level of peroxidation of these tissues and significantly increased the catalase activity and GSH level, while superoxide dismutase activity only increased in the lens and the kidney. Though treatment with 1000mgKg-1 of the extract reduced the level of peroxidation of these tissues, it does not increase the antioxidant status. Our findings suggests that, the lens and liver is the most at risk of oxidative stress generated with dietary galactose but not the kidney and that Hydrocotyl bonariensis leave possess active components that may be beneficial in reducing the effect of these oxidative stress when administered at lower dose.