ANTIOXIDANT STATUS OF THE LIVER AND KIDNEY OF WISTAR RAT

This report investigates the antioxidant capacity of an ethanol extract from the plant Funtumia elastica on the liver and kidneys of Wistar rats. Antioxidants play a crucial role in protecting cells from oxidative stress, which can lead to various diseases. The study evaluated the effects of the plant extract on several antioxidant parameters, including malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity in the liver and kidney tissues. The results demonstrated that the ethanol extract modulated these antioxidant parameters to varying degrees in the liver and kidneys. Notably, the extract exhibited a protective effect against lipid peroxidation in the liver, as evidenced by significantly reduced MDA levels in the Groups 3 and 4 compared to the control. Additionally, catalase activity was significantly upregulated in the liver of Group 2. However, GSH levels were significantly lower in the livers of treated groups compared to controls, suggesting potential compromise of the antioxidant defense system. No significant differences were observed for SOD and GPX activities in both organs across the groups. While the extract showed promising antioxidant effects, particularly in the liver, further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and explore potential therapeutic applications. The findings contribute to the understanding of Funtumia elastica's antioxidant properties and its potential use in managing oxidative stress-related conditions affecting vital organs