Antioxidant potential of the methanol leaf extract of Dalbergia saxatilis using the cotton pellet induced granuloma method in Wistar rats

Abstract

 Antioxidants of natural origin have become the target of a great number of researches in finding the sources of potentially safe, effective, and cheap antioxidants. This study investigated the antioxidant potential of the methanol extract Dalbergia saxatilis leaf using the cotton pellet-induced granuloma method in Wistar rats. Thirty rats of both sexes weighing 150-200 g were divided into five groups of six rats each. Group one received distilled water 1ml/kg, group two received ascorbic acid 250 mg/kg, while groups three, four, and five received graded doses of the methanol leaf extract of Dalbergia saxatilis (250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg) respectively daily for 9-days. The rats were sacrificed on the 10th day. Blood samples were collected in plain bottles for evaluation of oxidative stress markers which include superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA). Results showed that the extract at the highest dose (1000 mg/kg) significantly (p < 0.001) decreased MDA concentration similar to the vitamin C at 250 mg/kg, while the other doses of the extract decreased MDA concentration but was not significant. Increased CAT concentration was observed in the 500 and 1000 mg/kg though not significant. Increased concentrations of SOD and GSH were also observed across all doses of the extract but only significant at highest and lowest doses respectively. These findings suggest that, the methanol leaf extract of Dalbergia saxatilis possesses antioxidant properties which may be via its action on MDA, SOD, CAT, and GSH.