ABSTRACT
An imbalance in the generation of unpaired electron free radical molecules, which can harm cellular constituents like DNA, proteins, and Lipids is known as oxidative Stress. The danger of oxidative stress to cell lies in its potential to disrupt cellular function and integrity, trigger inflammation and tissue damage, contribute to aging and age-related diseases.1,2dimethylhydrazine is a chemical used to induce oxidative stress in experimental models. This stress damages cells, protein and DNA, contributing to various health issues like inflammation and carcinogenesis.35 Wistar rats were grouped into 7 distinct cages each containing 5 rats: group 1-control(feed),group 2-leaf extract only, group 3-Stem bark only, group 4-DMH only, group 5-DMH+Leaf extract, group 6,DMH+Stem bark extract, group 7-DMH+Leaf+Bark extract. Different biochemical assays such as Superoxide Dismutase, Catalase, Glutathione peroxidase, Malondialdehyde, Mean Corpuscular Volume,Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin, Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration, Mean Platelets Volume,Red Cell distribution width-standard deviation, and Red Cell Distribution width-Coeffient of variation were carried out on the sample(colon)homogenate.Group 5 had the lowest Superoxide dismutase activity and it was statistically different from group 3 and 4.Catalase activity was significantly reduced in group 4 and was statistically different from group 1 and 3.group 4 had the lowest glutathione peroxidase activity. Malondialdehyde had the highest activity in group 4 and it is statistically different from group 1,2 and 3. Mean Corpuscular volume activity was the lowest in group 4 but was not different statistically from other groups. Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin showed no significant difference across the groups. Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration showed no significant difference across the groups. Mean platelets activity was the lowest in group 5 but it was not statistically different from other groups. Red Cell distribution width-standard deviation shoes no significant difference across the groups. Red Cell distribution width-Coefficient of variation showed no significant difference across the groups. Results on histopathology showed no damage to cells or inflammation due to the reduced number of weeks of the study. Treatment with Ficus exasperata extract significantly reduced oxidative stress and ameliorated histological changes preserving the normal architecture of the colon. The results suggests that Ficus exasperata have a protective role against DMH-induced colon toxicity.
