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Effects of Crassocephalum bauchiense (Hutch) leaf aqueous extract on toxicity indicators and reproductive characteristics in Oryctolagus cuniculus exposed to potassium dichromate
Authors: Ferdinand Ngoula, Margaret Mary Momo Chongsi, Omer Bébé Kenfack Ngouateu, Alexane Marquise Ndekeng Makona, Augustave Kenfack , Bertin Narcisse Vemo, Joseph Tchoumboue
Number of views: 243
Objective: To evaluate the effects of Crassocephalum (C.) bauchiense (Hutch) leaf aqueous extract
on the biochemical markers of toxicity, oxidative stress indicators and reproductive parameters in
rabbit does (Oryctolagus cuniculus) exposed to potassium dichromate.
Methods: A total of 36 nulliparous and sexually mature female rabbit does, aged 8 months and
weighing 2.8-3.0 kg, were divided into 6 groups of 6 animals. After mating, group T0 received
distilled water (1 mL/kg body weight), while groups T0-, VC100, AE100, AE200 and AE400
were treated with 40 mg/mL/kg body weight of potassium dichromate. In addition, group VC100
received 100 mg/mL/kg body weight of vitamin C, while groups AE100, AE200 and AE400
received aqueous extract of C. bauchiense leaves at 100, 200 and 400 mg/mL/kg body weight,
by oral gavage for 27 days, respectively. On the 28th day post-coï tum, animals were sacrificed.
Biochemical indicators such as creatinine, urea, alanine amino tranferase, aspartate amino
transferase, total protein and total cholesterol were measured by using a spectrophotometer.
Follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and progesterone were measured by enzyme-
linked immuno sorbent assay. Oxidative stress markers like malondialdehyde, catalase, superoxide
dismutase and total peroxidase in ovary homogenates were measured by spectrophotometer.
Results: Serum concentrations of urea, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate
aminotransferase and total cholesterol were significantly higher (P<0.05), and total protein level
was significantly lower in T0- group (receiving potassium dichromate only) compared to
other groups. Administration of ethanolic extract of C. bauchiense significantly decreased serum
concentrations of urea, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and
total cholesterol, and significantly increased total protein level. However, ethanolic extract of C.
bauchiense had no significant effect on the foetotoxic characteristics. The serum concentrations of
follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone were significantly (P<0.05) lower in T0-
group as compared to the control group while progesterone were comparable (P>0.05) among all
groups; C. bauchiense leaf extracts significantly (P<0.05) increased the level of follicle stimulating
hormone, but the increase in luteinizing hormone was not significant (P>0.05). Catalase and
total peroxidase activities significantly decreased (P<0.05), and malondialdehyde significantly
increased in T0- group compared to other groups. The administration of C. bauchiense leaf extracts
significantly (P<0.05) increased the activities of catalase and peroxidase.
Conclusions: Potassium dichromate-induced oxidative stress involves in hepatotoxicity,
nephrotoxicity and reprotoxicity. The aqueous extract of C. bauchiense leaves could mitigate these
adverse effects via antioxidant properties.