Ethanolic extract of Jatropha gossypifolia exacerbates Potassium Bromate-induced clastogenicity, hepatotoxicity, and lipid peroxidation in rats

Abstract

Extracts of J. gossypifolia L. have been reported to have several medicinal values, including potential anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we investigated the anti-clastogenic and hepatoprotective, effects of the ethanolic leaf extract of J. gossypifolia L. in potassium bromate (KBrO₃)-induced toxicity in rats. The general trend of the results indicates significant increases (p < 0.05) in mean values when toxicant (KBrO₃) only group is compared with normal control group, except for catalase where a significant decrease (p < 0.05) was recorded. Surprisingly, treatment of the toxic effects of KBrO₃ by J. gossypifolia did not lower the mean values of any of these parameters investigated. Instead, there were significant increases (p < 0.05) in the mean number of bone marrow micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (mPCEs), plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma glutamyl transferase activities, and sodium, while the increases in mean concentrations of creatinine, urea, and potassium were not significant (p > 0.05). Also, there was a further reduction in the activity of catalase by J. gossypifolia treatment, and was also not significant (p > 0.05). We therefore concluded that the ethanolic leaf extract of J. gossypifolia may not have a protective role against chromosomal and liver damage in KBrO₃-induced toxicity, but complicating effects.