Kehinde Busuyi David, Akintola Adebola Olayemi, Akwu Bala Peter, Oyewande Esther Ajoke, Ayandiran Tolulope Akinpelu, Geshin John Ibikunle and Akinniyi Akintunde
Keywords: Vernonia amygdalina, D-galactoseactose, free radical, oxidative stress, anti-aging
Abstract: Vernonia amygdalina has shown promising anti-aging effects in folk medicine with little or no scientific basis. This study investigated anti-aging effects of Methanol Leaves Extract of Vernonia amygdalina (MLEVA) on D-galactose induced aging in male Wistar rats. Thirty-two rats weighing averagely 200g were randomly selected into four groups of eight rats each. Group I(Control)-received feed and distilled water only, Group II–received 2ml of D-galactoseonly at 300mg/kg body weight (bw) daily, Group III and IV-received, D-galactoseactose, followed by MLEVA at 200 and 300mg/kg bw respectively, for six weeks. Biochemical parameters were determined in serum, liver and kidney homogenates using spectrophotometric techniques. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT) activities, as well as Reduced glutathione (GSH) Concentration, were significantly (P<0.05) decreased in group II compared with control, but were significantly restored (P<0.05), in groups III and IV compared with group II. Furthermore, Creatinine and Urea concentrations were significantly (P<0.05) elevated in group II compared with control, but were significantly restored (P<0.05), in a dose dependent approach in groups III and IV, compared with group II. Moreover, Alanine transaminase (ALT) and Aspartate transaminase (AST) activities were significantly (P<0.05) increased in group II compared with control, but were restored significantly (P<0.05) in a dose dependent approach, in groups III and IV, compared with group II. Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration was significantly (P<0.05) elevated in group II compared with control, but groups III along with group IV showed a significant (P<0.05) reversal compared with group II. Vernonia amygdalina exhibited anti-aging effects via attenuation of D-galactoseactose-mediated oxidative stress, validating its folkloric use as an anti-aging plant, and its possible potential in amelioration and treatment of other oxidative stress and age-related diseases
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