EFFECT OF PERSEA AMERICANA SEED EXTRACT ON 5-FLUOROURACIL INDUCED CARDIOTOXICITY AND OXIDATIVE STRESS IN WISTAR RATS

This study assessed the impact of Persea americana seed extract on 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) induced cardio-histoxicity and oxidative stress in Wistar rats. 72 animals from a total of 77 were treated intraperitonially with a single dose of 150mg/kg of 5-FU to simulate toxicity in the heart and to cause oxidative stress. These animals were grouped into six (group 2-7). However, animals in group 1 served as control and received only feed and water. Group 2 was labeled negative control, animals in group 3 were administered with 500mg/kg of vitamin C while the animals in groups 46 received 250mg/kg, 500mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg of the extract and those in group 7 received the medium dose of vitamin C in combination with 500mg/kg of the extract. Groups 2-7 had 12 animals and 3 from each group were sacrificed weekly for 4 weeks. The animal’s blood and tissue was collected for biochemical and histological analysis. It was observed that the administration of 5FU caused cardio-toxicity and oxidative stress which led to some alterations in the histology of the heart and changes in oxidative stress markers like Glutathione, Catalase, Superoxide dismutase and Malondialdehyde. However, treatment with the extract ameliorated the adverse effects associated with the drug via enhancing antioxidant defense, decreasing inflammation and suppressing toxicity to the heart