ABSTRACT
In this study, Superoxide Dismutase activity in the induced airway hyper-reactivity (AHR) were evaluated via observatory methodology using time recording equipment by examining the effect of ethanolic extract of Solanum nigrum on its activity in ovalbumin-sensitized guinea pigs after histamine challenge. Following ovalbumin provocations, the animals can be said to have developed AHR resulting to dyspnoea as indicated by the results below obtained from this research shows the effect of pre-treatment of ova-sensitized guinea pigs with normal saline (control), 50, 100, 200mg/kg bw S. nigrum ethanol leaf extracts and a standard drug (25mg/kg bw aminophylline) on the time taken for histamine-induced pre-convulsive dyspnoea to occur. There was a significance time difference between the animals administered normal saline and 50 mg/kgbw S. nigrum extract (p < 0.05). This time difference increase as the concentrate of the extract increase from 50mg/kg bw to 200mg/kg bw progressively, though there was no significant difference in time between the animals administered 100mg/kg bw and those administered 200mg/kg bw. The percentage increase in time was highest with the standard drug 25mg/kg bw aminophylline, 61.71%. Solanum nigrum showed a dose dependent protection against histamine-induction bronco-constriction by of convulsion at all doses administered when compare to control (normal saline) significantly prolonging the latent period of collection at all doses administered when compared to control (normal saline) following exposure to 2% histamine aerosol.
The effects of S. nigrum ethanol extract on superoxide dismutase activity resulting from asthmatic attack, as represented in this study by the sensitization and challenge of guinea pig is shown in figures below superoxide dismutase activities in bronchial alveolar fluid, lung tissue and plasma cells respectively. The results showed that animals in SC group had a decrease in activity, when compared with control, the non- sensitized group (NS) p < 0.001, Treatment with the extracts at various concentrations and duration period there was a drastic increase in the activities of superoxide dismutase, indicating the extract prevented the superoxide dismutase enzyme from been consumed by absorbing the free radicals resulting from asthmatic attacks. The groups in SNC200day1 and SNC200day5 were comparable with SNC25std with no significant value between them. But when these groups are compared with SC group where the activity of superoxide dismutase is lowest, there is a significant improvement due to treatment p < 0.001. Meanwhile there was no significant different between these groups and NS group (control), i.e, the extract when giving at 200gm/kgbw early enough will augment the work of superoxide dismutase preventing the lipid peroxidation of the membrane under asthmatic attack. But if giving at the onset of the attack the chances of restoring the activity of superoxide dismutase is doubtful, because on day 21 treatment, there was minimal effect as shown by a decrease in the p < 0.05 for SCN200day21 and SNC100day21 values when compared with SC group. The foregoing suggests that Solanum nigrum ethanolic extract have anti-inflammatory and radical scavenging property which reduce the time taken for dyspnoea to occur in ovalbumin sensitized guinea pigs after histamine challenge. This acclaimed potency of this herbal plant opens up new vistas of research for biochemists.
