Comparative Evaluation of the Potential Antioxidant Activity of Costus afer Aqueous Stem Extract and Vitamin C Supplement on Liver of Male Swiss Mice Subjected to Sub-chronic Exposure of Dichlorvos

Aim: Evaluation of the potential antioxidant activity of Costus afer aqueous stem extract and Vit. C supplement on liver in male Swiss mice subjected to sub-chronic exposure of dichlorvos. Study Design: The study was a completely randomized design employing relevant statistical tools for analysis and interpretation. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in the Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Rivers State University. The experiment lasted for 35 days between April and June 2023. Methodology: A total of 30 Swiss male mice were randomly selected into 6 groups (n=5). Group A was the control, B received Dichlorvos@25mg/kg/bw/day, C & D received 100% vitamin C and Costus afer stem extract at 250mg/kg/bw/day respectively. Groups E & F were coadministered Dichlorvos @25mg/kg/bw/day with Vitamin C and 100% extract of Costus afer at 250mg/kg/bw/day respectively. At the end of the treatment period, blood samples were collected for analysis. Histological sections of the liver were mounted on slides, stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). Photomicrographs were generated. Results: All liver biomarkers examined increased significantly (p=0.05) in group B administered Dichlorvos only but decreased in groups administered the vit C and Costus afer respectively. This significant (p=0.05) increase is validated by the histopathological observation of clusters of inflammatory hepatocytes, apopototic hepatocytes and distorsion of the hepatocyte architecture in these animals. Groups E and F showed epithelium with hepatocytes undergoing accelerated mitotic division an indication of regeneration activity. Conclusion: This shows that vitamin C and Costus afer possess therapeutic ingredients for healing and regeneration of damaged hepatocytes but Vit C shows a more potent, sufficient antioxidant activity because of the purified L-ascorbic acid present in it. However, further investigation is required.