Investigating the effect of ethanolic extract of Dioclea reflexa seeds on antioxidant defense, lipid profile, liver and kidney peroxidation in adult male Wistar rats

Abstract. Adegbesan BO, Ezima EN, Adefuye AO, Osonuga IO. 2024. Investigating the effect of ethanolic extract of Dioclea reflexa seeds on antioxidant defense, lipid profile, liver and kidney peroxidation in adult male Wistar rats. Asian J Nat Prod Biochem 22: 89-97. Several synthetic agents have been developed to combat oxidative stress associated with degenerative diseases, but factors including high cost, side effects, and lack of availability pose major setbacks in achieving the desired goal. Thus, it is therefore of utmost importance to explore the use of natural products that are less expensive and abundant in many plant sources to circumvent the alarming rates of these diseases. This study assessed the phytochemical content, the antioxidant properties of the ethanolic extract of Dioclea reflexa (Hook.f.) C.Wright seeds, and the e?ects of the extract on the lipid profile, liver, and kidney peroxidative systems of adult male Wistar rats. Therefore, 32 matured male Wistar rats (160-180) g were divided randomly into four treatment groups containing eight (8) rats each. Animals in the normal control group were treated with diluted ethanol, while those in the other three groups received an ethanolic seed extract of D. reflexa, 5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, and 15 mg/kg, respectively. After two weeks of experimental study, the animals were allowed to fast overnight before sacrifice. After that, their whole blood, kidney, and liver tissues were taken for further analysis. Assays for lipid peroxidation (liver and kidney), antioxidants, and serum lipid profile were evaluated. Our results revealed that D. reflexa seeds ethanolic extract contains considerable amounts of phytochemicals; signi?cantly possesses antioxidant activities, repressed LDL and total cholesterol levels with a concomitant increase in HDL levels in Wistar rats; significantly reduced liver and lipid peroxidative damage, especially at 10 and 15 mg/kg doses relative to the control rats. This study suggests that the seeds of D. reflexa possess antioxidative, HDL level raising, and non-HDL cholesterol lowering activities and thus may be useful in the management of lipid-associated disorders as well as hepatic and renal malfunctions.