In vivo attenuation of experimentally-induced oxidative stress by common African vegetable (Corchorus olitorius)

Despite decades of study, the significance of free radicals' function in organ damage remains questionable and is still a significant problem in the diagnosis of many diseases. Therefore, the goal of the current investigation was to determine whether Corchorus olitorius leaves could reduce oxidative stress caused by potassium bromate (KBrO₃). Twenty-four rats were put into groups A, B, C, and D. Group A received distilled water as the control. Animals in groups C and D were additionally given 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight of C. olitorius, respectively, in addition to the 100 mg/kg body weight of KBrO₃ given to groups B, C, and D on a daily basis for 28 days. The animals were sacrificed while being gently sedated with diethyl ether and the blood, heart, liver, and kidneys were collected. The results showed that KBrO₃ decreased plasma, hepatic, renal, and cardiac CAT, SOD, and GPx activities as well as GSH concentrations, but raised MDA levels, as compared to the control group. Rats were given extract from C. olitorius leaves at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight, with the results of the 200 mg/kg dose being comparable to those observed in the control group. These treatments resulted in significant increases in antioxidant levels (except GPx) and decrease in MDA levels in their plasma and tissues. The study showed that potassium bromate increased the levels of oxidative enzymes leading to oxidative stress. This effect was attenuated by C. Olitorius demonstrating its protective effect on the KBrO₃-induced oxidative stress.