Effects of Aqueous Extract of Some Selected Vegetables on Halofantrine Hepato-cardiatoxicity in Rats

Aim: The protective effect of some selected vegetables {Moringa (Moringa oleifera), Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) and Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)} against hepato- cardio toxicity of halofantrine (an antimalarial drug) was evaluated in 72 albino rats.
Study Design: The rats were grouped into eight of nine rats each. Three different doses; 7.1, 14.2 and 21.3mg/Kg of halofantrine were given to group II, III and IV respectively. Group V was co-administered with halofantrine and moringa extract 7.1 and 0.20mg/Kg respectively, Group VI co-administered with halofantrine and cabbage extract 7.1 and 0.10mg/Kg respectively, Group VII co-administered with halofantrine and Tomato extract 7.1 and 0.20mg/Kg respectively and Group VIII co-administered with halofantrine, moringa, cabbage and tomato extracts 7.1, 0.20, 0.10 and 0.20mg/Kg respectively). Group I was neither given the drug nor the vegetable extract serving as normal control.

Methodology: The liver and heart function indices were evaluated using standard methods.

Results: Serum liver enzymes, heart marker enzymes and concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) were analyzed after 16, 96 and 192 hours of oral administration. Halofantrine administration caused significant increase (p<0.05) in the activities of all the enzymes with a peak at the 16th hour. Malondialdehyde had a peak at the 192 hours. The oral co-administration of vegetables extract showed a significant decrease (p<0.05) in the enzyme activities and concentration of malondialdehyde as compared sole administration of halofantrine. The result showed that Moringa, Cabbage and Tomato may have hepato and cardio protective effects against halofantrine toxicity. It may be concluded that consumption of vegetables may be beyond the nutritional needs but also for protective purposes.