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.