Extenuation of Sodium Arsenite-Induced Oxidative Stress and Genotoxicity by Ethanol Extract of Amaranthus hybridus Seeds in Wistar Rats

• M.A Gbadegesin

In this study, we assessed the effect of ethanol extract of Amaranthus hybridus seeds against sodium arsenite (SA)-induced oxidative stress and genotoxicity in Wistar rats. The effects of three doses of the extract (100, 200, 300 mg/kg body weight) on sodium arsenite (2.5 mg/kg body weight) toxicity were tested. The extract and the toxin were administered for 14 days via oral gavage. Activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) decreased significantly (p<0.05); while levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) increased significantly (p<0.05) in group treated with sodium arsenite only compared with control. However, pre-treatment with A. hybridus seeds extract before arsenite resulted in increased SOD, CAT and GPx activities and decreased concentrations of MDA and H2O2 compared with administration of sodium arsenite only. In addition, treatment with sodium arsenite induced a significant increase (p<0.05) in the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (mPCEs) formed in the bone marrow cells compared to the control whereas, pre-treatment with A. hybridus seeds extract at various doses decreased the frequency of mPCEs in a dose-dependent manner when compared to the group treated with sodium arsenite alone. In conclusion, the ethanol extract of A. hybridus seeds protects against sodium arsenite-induced oxidative stress and genotoxicity in Wistar rats. Consumption of amaranth grain is encouraged for its nutritional and chemo-protective values.

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