Effects of Irvingia grandifolia, Urena lobata and Carica papaya on the Oxidative Status of Normal Rabbits

Abstract

The hypoglycemic effects of Irvingia grandifolia, Urena lobata and Carica papaya are documented. While medicinal plants may have recognizable therapeutic effects, they may also have toxic side-effects. In this study, the sub-chronic effects of aqueous extracts of I. grandifolia bark, U. lobata root and C. papaya leaves, on the oxidative status of normal rabbits were monitored at pre-determined intervals in the serum for 24 weeks, and in the tissues, by measuring activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase, and the levels of malondialdehyde. The plants studied did not alter the serum MDA levels, liver and pancreatic MDA levels were significantly (p<0.05) lower. For all plants, serum and tissue, SOD and catalase activities were generally statistical similar to control. I grandifolia, U. lobata and C. papaya, did not appear to exert any form of oxidative damage on normal rabbits, with respect to liver and pancreatic MDA levels; they even seemed to be protective against lipid peroxidation.