Ethylacetate Leaf Extract of Adansonia digitata Linn Mitigates Against Redox Imbalance and Inflammatory Disorders Associated with Ageing in Liver of Male Wistar Rat

Abstract

Ageing is driven by oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and impaired cellular repair. However, Adansonia digitata linn is employed as an anti-ageing remedy in West Africa with limited scientific basis. Hence, this study evaluated the potential of Adansonia digitata Ethylacetate Leaf Extract (ADELE) in mitigating against redox imbalance and inflammatory disorders associated with ageing in hepatic tissue of male Wistar rats. Ethylacetate extract of the powdered leaves of the plant was prepared by cold extraction. Sixty-three (63) male Wistar rats weighing an average of 110 g were randomly allocated into 9 groups of seven (7) rats each. Group I (control), Group II (ADELE-only 200 mg/kg body weight (bw)), Group III (Vitamin E-only 200 mg/kg bw), Group IV (D-galactose-only) were treated for 8 weeks, and pretreatment groups receiving graded doses of ADELE and/or Vitamin E 4 weeks prior to D-galactose administration for an additional 4 weeks: Group V (ADELE 100 mg/kg bw and D-gal), Group VI (ADELE 200 mg/kg bw and D-gal), Group VII (ADELE 400 mg/kg bw and D-gal), Group VIII (Vit. E 200 mg/kg bw and D-gal) and Group IX (ADELE 100 mg/kg bw and Vit. E 100 mg/kg bw and D-gal). ADELE was administered orally in 0.3 ml distilled water while D-galactose was administered intraperitoneally (IP) in 0.3 ml of 0.9% normal saline daily and animals were sacrificed after eight weeks. Liver indices [Alanine transaminase (ALT), Aspartate transaminase (AST) and Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) activities and total bilirubin concentrations] in serum, antioxidant indices [Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, Reduced glutathione (GSH), Malondialdehyde (MDA) and total protein concentrations], and inflammatory indices [Tumour Necrosis Factor (TNF-α) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations] in liver homogenates were evaluated using standard biochemical methods. Data were analysed using GraphPad Prism 5 at (P < 0.05) level of significance. Results showed induction of ageing by D-galactose (Group IV) with significant increase (P < 0.05) in liver indices (ALT: 84.01 ± 3.86, AST: 95.17 ± 2.33, GGT: 29.49 ± 1.70 and total bilirubin: 50.70 ± 2.87), lipid peroxidation (MDA: 10.26 ± 0.89), inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α: 6709 ± 833.00 and IL-6: 528.9 ± 35.31), and concomitant reductions in antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD: 0.69 ± 1.11, CAT: 4.07 ± 0.33 and GPx: 4.07 ± 0.13), as well as GSH: 3.60 ± 0.24 and hepatic total protein (TP): 27.04 ± 1.36, compared with controls (ALT: 70.09 ± 3.23, AST: 76.35 ± 2.51, GGT: 15.36 ± 0.52, total bilirubin: 38.74 ± 0.98, MDA: 3.84 ± 0.57, TNF-α: 1268 ± 82.66, IL-6: 345.6 ± 29.94, SOD: 1.43 ± 1.60, CAT: 5.19 ± 0.13, GPx: 6.07 ± 0.11, GSH: 4.18 ± 0.16, hepatic total protein: 38.00 ± 0.72). Pretreatment groups (V, VI, VII, VIII and IX) markedly attenuated D-galactose-induced alterations, restoring most biochemical parameters toward control levels, with some parameters showing dose-dependent activity. Histological examination revealed dose-dependent improvement in D-galactose-altered hepatic architecture toward control levels. ADELE exhibited antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and tissue-protective potential; hence, its bioactive components may be employed in the treatment of oxidative stress- and inflammatory-related disorders as well as in the management of ageing.