Cnidoscolus aconitifolius leaf extract exhibits comparable ameliorative potentials with ascorbate in dimethylnitrosamine-induced bone marrow clastogenicity and hepatotoxicity

Abstract

Summary: Cnidoscolus aconitifolius (CA) is an edible perennial shrub with promising medicinal properties. We therefore investigated the ameliorative potentials of CA (400 mg/kg) by comparing with ascorbate (400 mg/kg) in dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced clastogenicity and hepatotoxicity. Hepatotoxicity was assessed by determining the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA), as well as activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), while clastogenicity was assessed by scoring the number of bone marrow micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (mPCEs). Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrophotometry (GCMS) analysis of the CA extract revealed the presence of phenols, essential fatty acid, carotene, and silicon-rich compounds, and also possesses strong in vitro free radical scavenging potentials comparable to ascorbate. DMN-induced hepatic damage as marked by elevated levels of MDA and GSH, as well as activities of ALT, AST, GGT, and GST were significantly reduced by CA and ascorbate treatments, while the significant reductions in CAT, SOD, and GPx activities as a result of DMN administration were restored following treatments with CA and ascorbate. Also, significant increase in DMN-induced micronuclei formation was significantly reduced following CA and ascorbate treatments. Hepatocyte histopathology revealed severe diffuse centrilobular necrosis and bizarre mitotic figures, which were corrected by CA and ascorbate treatments. Overall, ascorbate demonstrates better effect in vitro, while in in vivo study, CA extracts demonstrates a comparable and better ameliorative effects than ascorbate in the parameters investigated. Therapeutic use of the plant may therefore be a promising focus. Keywords: Dimethylnitrosamine, Cnidoscolus aconitifolius, Ascorbate, Clastogenicity, Hepatotoxicity, GCMS