Chemoprotective activity of aqueous leaf extract of Acalypha wilkesiana against cyclophosphamide-induced toxicity in rats

Objective:To investigate the protective effect of aqueous leaf extract of Acalypha(A.)wilkesiana Muell.Arg(Euphorbiaceae)against cyclophosphamide-induced toxicity in albino rats.Methods:Twenty male albino rats were randomly divided into five groups of four animals each.The control group(Ⅰ)was fed with pellets and distilled water,while group Ⅱ was orally administered with only 20 mg/kg cyclophosphamide.Groups Ⅲ,Ⅳ and Ⅴ were coadministered with 20 mg/kg body weight cyclophosphamide and 110,220 and 440 mg/kg body weight A.wilkesiana leaf extract,respectively,for 7 d.After treatment,liver and kidney function biomarkers,haematological parameters,liver antioxidants,and mitochondrial membrane permeability transition pore opening were investigated.Results:A.wilkesiana leaf extract significantly reduced(P<0.05)cyclophosphamide-induced increase in plasma aspartate aminotransferase,alanine aminotransferase,creatinine,uric acid and urea.It increased superoxide dismutase,catalase,glutathione-S-transferase activities and reduced glutathione levels.It also increased packed cell volume count,hemoglobin concentration and white blood cell count while inhibiting the induction of mitochondrial swelling.Conclusions:This study demonstrates that aqueous extract of A.wilkesiana leaf protected tissues against cyclophosphamide-induced oxidative damage.

Mycotoxin Contamination of Bush Mango,Cashew Nuts,Okra,Sesame and Sorghum Marketed in Nasarawa State,Nigeria

Food crops(bush mango(n=12),roasted cashew nut(n=12),dried okra(n=12),sesame(n=35)and sorghum(n=36))sold in markets in Nasarawa state,Nigeria,were analyzed using a LC-MS/MS mycotoxin method.The hepatocarcinogenic aflatoxin B_(1) was detected in 42%,25%and 19%of bush mango,dried okra and sorghum samples at mean concentrations of 19.2μg/kg,8.27μg/kg and 4.75μg/kg,respectively,while fumonisin B_(1) contaminated 9%of the sesame(mean:12.5μg/kg)and 47%of the sorghum(mean:461μg/kg)samples.At least 19%of the sorghum samples were co-contaminated with aflatoxin B_(1) and fumonisin B_(1).The nephrotoxic ochratoxin A was detected in bush mango,sorghum and,for the first time to the best of our knowledge,in dried okra.These vended food crops in the local markets are therefore prone to mycotoxin contamination,which may pose a health threat to consumers,and require intentional mitigation efforts.