EFFECTS OF WATERMELON (Citrullus lanatus) FRUIT JUICE ON OXIDATIVE STRESS IN RABBITS OVERDOSED WITH PANADOL EXTRA

Background: Watermelon juice contains phytochemicals like alkaloids, flavonoids, saponnins, 68.0285 mg/k fresh wt of lycopene (a major and potent antioxidant found in the succulent part of the fruit), including β -carotene, vitamins (B, C and E), minerals (K, Mg, Ca and Fe), amino acid (citrulline) and phenolics. Panadol extra contains 500 mg of acetaminophen and 65 mg of caffeine. Panadol Extra is 30% more powerful when compared to standard paracetamol.

Aim and Objective: This work was designed to evaluate the antioxidative stress of watermelon juice in rabbits overdosed with Panadol extra.

Materials and Methods: Thirty rabbits were classified into six groups of five rabbits as C1 (Rabbits overdosed with Panadol Extra before watermelon), C2 (Rabbits treated with watermelon juice after Panadol Extra overdose), E1 (Rabbits given watermelon juice before overdose) and E2 (Rabbits given watermelon juice before overdose) were studied. Toxicity was induced with Panadol Extra at 1500 mg/Kg body weight for 5 days while reduction of toxicity or protective activities was carried out by the administration of watermelon juice at 15ml/Kg body weight before, after or without the inducement of toxicity in the rabbits. Plasma levels of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) was evaluated biochemically by spectrophotometry.

Results: The result obtained showed a significant decrease in the plasma level of glutathione peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase and an increase in plasma level of malondialdehyde in the experimental rabbits following the administration of 1,500 mg/kg of Panadol extra for 5 days (p<0.05). However, a significant increase in the plasma level of glutathione peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase and a decrease in plasma level of malondialdehyde was obtained from the rabbits when they were given 15 ml/Kg body weight for 7 days following 5 days of the administration of 1,500 mg/kg of Panadol extra (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Administration of 1500 mg/Kg body weight of Panadol extra into the rabbits decreases plasma glutathione peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase and elevated the value of malondialdehyde. These biochemical alterations reversed when the rabbits were given watermelon juice supplement.