Therapeutic Modulatory Effect of Irvingia wombolu Leaf Fractions in Managing Inflammation and Oxidative Stress

Obumneme Maduka Onyia — 2026-08-29

Background: This study investigated the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of leaf fractions and their effects on selected biochemical indices. Methods: A crude ethanolic leaf extract was partitioned using n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and ethanol. Phytochemical constituents were assessed qualitatively and quantitatively, while in vitro anti-inflammatory activity was determined using phospholipase A₂ inhibition. Twenty-eight albino rats were allocated to seven groups of four animals. Inflammation was induced with 5% formalin, and the animals received aspirin, crude extract, or one of the solvent fractions, as applicable. Paw size, C-reactive protein, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase, reduced glutathione, and serum zinc were evaluated. Results: Alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids, phenolics, tannins, and glycosides were detected in the extract and fractions. The tested samples inhibited phospholipase A₂ activity in a concentration-dependent manner, with the n-hexane fraction showing the highest inhibition. Treatment reduced paw oedema and was associated with lower C-reactive protein and malondialdehyde values than those in the untreated inflamed group. Catalase and reduced glutathione generally increased after treatment, whereas superoxide dismutase responses were less consistent across comparisons. Serum zinc increased most prominently in the n-hexane-treated group. Conclusion: Irvingia wombolu leaf fractions demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity under the experimental conditions, with the n-hexane fraction showing the most consistent overall response. These preclinical findings warrant further chemical characterisation, dose-response assessment, and safety evaluation.

Role of Vitamin-A on the Cerebral Cortex of Adult Male Wistar Rats Exposed to Methamphetamine

Ezejindu Damian Nnabuihe — 2026-09-01

Methamphetamine (METH) can induce oxidative stress and structural injury in the cerebral cortex, whereas vitamin A participates in antioxidant defence and neural maintenance. This study evaluated the effect of low-dose vitamin A on methamphetamine-induced cortical changes in adult male Wistar rats. Twenty rats were allocated to four groups (n = 5): control, METH only, vitamin A only and combined METH plus vitamin A. METH was administered orally at 5 mg/kg at 3-hour intervals within 12 hours per day, while vitamin A was administered orally at 0.7 mg/kg once daily for 28 consecutive days. Body weight, elevated plus-maze performance, cerebral-cortex malondialdehyde, glutathione and superoxide dismutase levels, and cortical histoarchitecture were assessed. METH-only exposure was associated with reduced body weight, a higher malondialdehyde level, lower glutathione and superoxide dismutase activities, altered open-arm time and marked cortical degeneration. Co-administration of vitamin A was associated with improved body-weight change, oxidative-stress indices closer to control values and better preservation of cortical architecture than METH-only treatment. The vitamin A-only group showed weight gain, antioxidant-marker values near those of the control group and largely preserved cortical morphology. Under the experimental conditions, low-dose vitamin A was associated with partial attenuation of methamphetamine-induced oxidative and histological changes in the cerebral cortex. These findings are limited to the measured outcomes in a small animal model and require confirmation through larger studies with clearly defined dosing and additional molecular assessments.

Asian Journal of Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Therapeutic Modulatory Effect of Irvingia wombolu Leaf Fractions in Managing Inflammation and Oxidative Stress

Role of Vitamin-A on the Cerebral Cortex of Adult Male Wistar Rats Exposed to Methamphetamine