Nephritic cell damage and antioxidant status in rats exposed to leachate from battery recycling industry

Metabolic depletion of synaptosomal enzymes linked with neurotoxicity and ovarian dysfunction by phenolic antioxidants of Croton zambsicus leaves in rats exposed to chronic mixture of anthropogenic toxicant

A complex mixture of organic contaminants and metals is associated with neuron-fertility disorders and studies have demonstrated that phenolic antioxidants from herbal origin, possesses a strong protective potential. This study aimed to investigate the protection of phenolic croton zambesicus (C-ZAMB) leaves against neuro-ovarian damage in rats exposed to chronic mixture of anthropogenic toxicants (EOMABRSL). The animals were divided into five groups (n = 10): Group I was given 0.5 ml of distilled water only; Group II received 0.5 ml of EOMABRSL for 98 days; Group III received 0.5 ml of EOMABRSL for 70 days and withdrew for 28 days; Group IV received 0.5 ml of EOMABRSL for 70 days +400 mg/kg phenolic C-ZAMB for 28 days; Group V received 400 mg/kg C-ZAMB only for 28 days via oral route. Both non-withdrawal and withdrawal EOMABRSL-exposed animals exhibited neuro-ovarian impairment by up-regulating neuronal 51 eco-nucleotidase (51ENT), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butrylcholinesterase (BuChE), synaptosomal monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A) with altered cerebral antioxidants. Similarly, exposure to EOMABRSL for 98 and 70 days caused ovarian injury by amplifying the activity of 51ENT with corresponding decline of fertility index, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and Δ5 17β-hydroxyl steroid dehydrogenase (Δ517β-HSD). EOMABRSL intoxication also increased the neuro-ovarian MDA content with reduced numbers of neonates. Phenolic antioxidants from C-ZAMB leaves identified by High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) ameliorated the chronic EOMABRSL intoxication. The treatment also prevented ovarian lesions by depleting MDA content and improved antioxidant status. Thus, confirming its neuro-ovarian protection.

Modulation of Cardiopulmonary Toxicity and Oxidative Stress by Phenolic-Rich Fraction of Croton zambiscus Leaves in Rat Exposed to Chronic Mixture of Environmental Toxicants

Chronic mixed toxicant exposure has been implicated in the aetiology of lung and heart failure through prolonged free radical generations. This study was carried out to assess the protective effect of naturally occurring phenolic components from Croton zambesicus (400 mg/kg C-ZAMB) leaves against cardiopulmonary toxicity induced by chronic mixed toxicant (0.5 mL EOMABRSL) in rats. Chronic cardiopulmonary injury via oral administration of 0.5 ml EOMABRSL for 98 days (non-withdrawal) and 70 days (withdrawal) caused unhealthy alteration in the levels of oxidative stress biomarkers [malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase]. Similarly, both withdrawal and non-withdrawal approaches of EOMABRSL-exposed animals exhibited increase in the activity of eco-51-nucleotidase (51ENT) with corresponding diminution in the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), i.e. the metabolic fuel for cardiopulmonary wellness. Ultimately, histology examination confirmed hyperplastic, bronchopneumonia and cloudy swelling of cardiovascular cells followed by the accumulation of cellular exudates and haemorrhage in the alveoli and bronchioles. The active antioxidants of 400 mg/kg C-ZAMB leaves were responsible for the biological protection of cardiopulmonary toxicity by modulating the activities of 51ENT and LDH. The oxidative stress was also reversed by 400 mg/kg phenolic C-ZAMB leaves in the heart and lungs. Hence, 400 mg/kg phenolic C-ZAMB leaves may be a natural therapy for the treatment of cardiovascular disorder associated with pulmonary dysfunction in rats.

Rat liver and kidney post-mitochondrial dysfunction by addition of chronic mixed metal intoxication and hepatorenal wellness mediated by phenolic components from Croton zambiscus leaves

Chronic exposure of mixed-metal intoxication has been associated with prolonged oxidative stress and severe hepatorenal damage. This present study demonstrates the hepatoprotective and renoprotective activity of Croton zambesicus (C-ZAMB) leaves, naturally occurring phenolic compounds against chronic mixed-metal (EOMABRSL) induced toxicity. 0.5 ml of EOMABRSL via oral route induced chronic hepatoxicity and nephrotoxicity on exposure for 98 days (non-withdrawal) and 70 days (withdrawal) by abnormal alteration in the levels of endogenous antioxidants. Moreover, EOMABRSL induced hepatorenal damage by increasing the markers of liver toxicity (ALT, AST, ALP, GGT and bilirubin) and kidney failure (creatinine, urea, uric acid, and renal electrolytes-Na⁺ and K⁺). Both non-withdrawal and withdrawal approaches of EOMABRSL-exposed animals exhibited hepatorenal dysfunctions by increasing the activity of eco-5¹-nucleotidase (5¹ENT) followed by the decreased in the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)-index of cellular ATP. These results were further supported by the histopathological examination of nephritic cells, hepatocytes and splenocytes, manifested by hepatocellular necrosis, swelling or degeneration of tubular kidney epithelial cells as well as coalescing splenic periarteriolar lymphoid sheaths (PALSs) and lymphoid haemosiderin. The chronic EOMABRSL intoxication was ameliorated by administration of phenolic antioxidants from C-ZAMB leaves. Therefore, our study supports the view that phenolic C-ZAMB leaves may mediate hepatorenal wellness on chronic exposure to mixed-metal intoxication.

Characterization of leachates from waste landfill sites in a religious camp along Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Nigeria and its hepatotoxicity in rats

Landfill sites near human settlements are known to have adverse health effects. Here, we investigated the effect of different concentrations of leachates from the Redemption Camp landfill (RCLL, 10%, 30%, 50%) on the liver of adult female rats after 21 days of exposure in their drinking water. The physicochemical and metal analyses showed that biochemical oxygen and chemical oxygen demand, zinc and magnesium levels were significantly high, whereas copper level was low in RCLL when compared to water samples from residential areas close to the landfill site, and were higher than the acceptable limits (p < 0.05). The predominant bacteria isolates recovered from the leachate and drinking water samples were Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp and Shigella spp. At the end of the 21-day exposure, RCLL increased the weight of the liver. Malondialdehyde concentrations were increased and glutathione levels were decreased significantly in the liver of treated animals at all concentrations of leachates tested. Furthermore, the activities of serum alanine amino transferase, aspartate amino transferase, gamma glutamyl transferase and cholesterol concentrations were increased whereas bilirubin and albumin levels were decreased dose-dependently. Histological examination of the liver was characterized by accumulation of inflammatory cells around hepatocytes, and extended sinusoids. The histo-pathological alterations and oxidative damage observed in the liver of treated rats and occurrence of pathogenic species and metals in the RCLL may suggest possible impaired hepatic health in subjects with occupational or environmental exposure.