Investigation into the Potential of Paullinia pinnata (Linn.) Methanol Leaf Extract against Toxicity by Ethylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether (EGME) is a toxicant with wide industrial and domestic use. Paullinia pinnata (PP) is a herb with medicinal properties as demonstrated scientifically. The aim of this study is to investigate the possible chemopreventive effect of PP on EGME-induced damagesin the liver and kidney. Seventy adults male Wistar rats were weight-matched into seven groups (n=10). Groups I and II served as controls and received distilled water and 10% dimethyl sulfoxide, respectively. Group III received EGME (200 mg/kg) only. Groups IV-VII each received EGME (200 mg/kg) and PP at 25, 50, 75 and 100 mg/kg doses, respectively. All administrations were done orally daily for 14 consecutive days. On day 15, the animals were euthanized and the liver and kidneys were excised. The EGME significantly (p<0.05) reduced the activities and the levels of the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. These deleterious effects were prevented by co-administration with PP at 50, 75 and 100 mg/kg dose but not at the 25 mg/kg dose. Paullinia pinnata methanol leaf extract barred the toxic effect of EGME at moderate doses in the liver and kidney.