Biochemical Effects of Telfairia occidentalis Leaf Extracts against Copper-induced Oxidative Stress and Histopathological Abnormalities

This study was carried out to investigate the protective effect of oral administration of T. occidentalis against copper induced oxidative stress. Forty two adult male Wistar rats were divided equally into six groups. Group 1 were orally gavaged with standard animal feed only, group 2-6, in addition to normal feed received oral treatment of 0.3 mg/kg b.w copper daily, group 3 and 4 received 250 mg/kg b.w and 500 mg/kg b.w aqueous leaf extract of T. occidentalis respectively, while group 5 and 6 were treated with 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg b.w methanol extract of T. occidentalis. The oral administration of 500 mg/kg b.w proved most effective in the restoration of the antioxidant enzyme status, while the hepatoprotective activity of the extracts was completely effective on the AST levels, total bilirubin, and serum albumin levels. The results for renal function markers show that only 500 mg/kg b.w methanol extract completely restored the urea and potassium levels. This indicates that T. occidentalis could ameliorate the antioxidant status in copper-induced oxidative stress.