EFFECT OF METHANOL LEAF EXTRACT OF SIMAROUBA GLAUCA

ABSTRACT

This study evaluates the effect of the methanol leaf extract of Simarouba glauca on pancreas antioxidant biomarkers of male Wistar rats. Simarouba glauca were collected, washed and air-dried for 28 days at room temperature. The dried leaves were pulverized and a dried powder obtained, 500 g of the powder was weighed and mixed with ethanol. This mixture was stirred consistently for seven days after which the methanol extract was obtained by filtration and the extract concentrated by freeze-drying the filtrate. A total of 30 male Wistar rats of weight 120 g were obtained for the experiment. The animals were divided onto six groups (1-6) of five animals each. The extract was administered daily  for 28 days. For group 1  (control), no extract was administered, for group 2,3,4,5 and 6, 200 mg/body weight, 400 mg/body weight, 600 mg/body weight, 800 mg/body weight and 1000 mg/body weight of the extract were administered respectively. On the 29th day, the animals were sacrificed and their pancreas harvested, weighed and preserved for analysis. The following assays were carried out: catalase tests (CAT), glutathione tests (GPX), glutathione peroxidase tests (GPx) and malondialdehyde tests (MDA). Statistical analysis was carried out on the results and there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the pancreatic MDA levels and GPx activities compared to the control rats. For pancreatic GSH levels, there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in rats from group 2-5, but rats in group 6 showed significant increase in GSH concentrations. There was no significant difference in the catalase activity of rats in group 2, 3, 4 and 6 compared to the control but rats in group 5 showed significant increase (p < 0.05) compared to the control. The results of this study shows that the extract contains powerful antioxidants.