1. Home
  2. Vol 1, No 1 (2025)
  3. Kolawole

Seasonal variation in the protective property of Ficus exasperata leaf extract against potassium bromate induced toxicity

Oyetunji T. Kolawole(1), Oluwatosin M. Adewole(2), Emmanuel A. Soetan(3), Akeem A. Ayankunle(4), Olayemi K. Wakeel(5), Oluwaseyi A. Adeyeba(6),


(1) Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria
(2) Department of Pharmacology, College of Health Sciences, Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria
(3) Department of Pharmacology, College of Health Sciences, Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria
(4) Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Health Sciences, Osun State University, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria
(5) Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria
(6) Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria
Corresponding Author

Abstract


Background: Potassium bromate (KBrO3) is illicitly used by food producers, especially bakers, in the preparation of bread and pastries, posing health risks to consumers. Identifying protective agents against KBrO3-induced toxicity is therefore critical.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of Ficus exasperata leaf extracts against KBrO3-induced toxicity in rats and to investigate the influence of seasonal variation on the efficacy of the extracts. 

Methods: Leaf extracts of Ficus exasperata were prepared from leaves harvested in January (FEJAN) and July (FEJUL). Twenty-four rats were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 6 per group) and orally treated for 21 days as follows: Group 1 (control) received 1% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO); Group 2 received KBrO3 (25 mg/kg body weight); Group 3 received KBrO3 plus FEJAN (50 mg/kg body weight); and Group 4 received KBrO3 plus FEJUL (50 mg/kg body weight). After treatment, animals were euthanized for collection of blood samples for biochemical and hematological analyses. Histopathological evaluations of liver and kidney tissues were also performed. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test, with significance set at p < 0.05. 

Results: Co-treatment with FEJAN and FEJUL significantly increased packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), and platelet (PLT) counts compared to the KBrO3-only group (p < 0.05). Conversely, serum levels of urea, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were significantly reduced in the extract-treated groups (p < 0.05). Histological examination revealed that FEJAN and FEJUL ameliorated KBrO3induced hepatic and renal tissue damage. Notably, FEJUL demonstrated greater protective efficacy than FEJAN.

Conclusion: Ficus exasperata leaf extracts confer significant protection against KBrO3-induced toxicity in rats. The extract from leaves harvested during July (FEJUL) exhibited superior protective effects compared to those harvested in January (FEJAN). 

Keywords


Ficus exasperata, Potassium bromate, Toxicity, Seasonal changes

Full Text: PDF

Article Metrics

Abstract View : 0 times
PDF Download : 0 times

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.