Changes in Antioxidant/Pro-Oxidant Ratio of Brain Tissue Homogenates in Response to Cocos nucifera Treatment
O. N. Ilochi *
Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Madonna University, Elele, Rivers State, Nigeria.
C. E. Augustine
Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Madonna University, Elele, Rivers State, Nigeria.
A. N. Chuemere
Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Madonna University, Elele, Rivers State, Nigeria and Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria and Department of Nursing, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Clifford University, Owerrinta, Abia State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Objective: This study revealed the effect of Cocos nucifera juice on antioxidant/pro-oxidant ratio in brain tissue homogenates of wistar rats.
Materials and Methods: 40 male wistar rats were collected and randomly selected into 4 groups. Treatment protocols were; i-normal saline, ii-3ml C. nucifera juice, iii-6ml C.nucifera juice, iv-9ml C. nucifera juice. The study period lasted for 42 days. Brain tissue homogenate was prepared and biochemical analysis for antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx); pro-oxidant biomarkers hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and nitric oxide (NO) were assayed for.
Results: The result showed that there was an increase in antioxidants concentration and a simultaneous decrease in pro-oxidant species generation as the dose of treatment was increased. The ratio of antioxidants to pro-oxidants showed a direct proportionality to the treatment dose.
Conclusion: C. nucifera juice has the ability to improve the level of production or synthesis of the assayed antioxidant enzymes and also has the efficacy to suppress pro-oxidant specie generation.
Keywords: C. nucifera, antioxidants, pro-oxidants, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, brain tissue homogenates