Monodora Myristica Seed Extract Mitigates Lead Acetate Induced Hepatic and Testicular Injury in Male Wistar Rats Tropical Journal of Natural Product Research
Main Article Content
Abstract
Monodora myristica (MMS), a tropical botanical species classified within the Annonaceae family, is extensively utilized as a condiment in the culinary preparation of various African cuisines to amplify flavour. The current study aims to investigate the mechanism by which MMS protect the liver and testicular tissues from the damage caused by lead acetate (PbAc). For this study, 36 male Wistar rats weighing 180–200 g each were employed and were grouped into six groups of 6 rats each. Group 1; was given distilled water, Group 2; PbAc (15 mg/kg) was given, Group 3 and 4; MMS (200 and 400 mg/kg) were administered; Group 5; PbAc (15 mg/kg) and MMS (200 mg/kg) were given; Group 6; PbAc (15 mg/kg) and MMS (400 mg/kg) were administered. While the right testis was obtained for antioxidant tests, the liver and left testis were removed for histopathological analysis. In the group treated with varying doses of MMS alongside lead acetate, liver enzyme levels—specifically ALT (alanine aminotransferase), AST (aspartate aminotransferase), and ALP (alkaline phosphatase)—were significantly lower compared to those in the group exposed only to lead acetate (P < 0.05). This combined treatment resulted in a significant reduction in malondialdehyde levels (P < 0.05) while enhancing the activity of antioxidant enzymes like catalase and SOD (superoxide dismutase). These findings indicate that MMS offers protective and restorative function against damage caused by lead acetate exposure to both the liver and testicles through elevation of antioxidant enzymes.
Downloads
Article Details

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
How to Cite
References
Mahlouyi M, Alaria SMH, Ghaserni J, Jaili AH, Monzanzadeh MT, Zhang S, Shazada NE, Butts IAE, Hoseinifar SH, Linhart O. Crude oil-induced reproductive disorders in male goldfish: Testicular histopathology, sex steroid hormones and sperm swimming kinematics. J Appl Toxicol. 2024; doi:10.1002/Jat.4745.
Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). Compare data visualization. Seattle, WA: IHME, University of Washington; 2017.
World Health Organization. Childhood lead poisoning. Geneva: WHO Press; 2010, p. 15-19.
Rezvanfar M, Sadrkhanlou R, Ahmad A, Shojaei H, Mohammadirad A. Protection of cyclophosphamide induced toxicity in reproductive tract histology, sperm characteristics, and DNA damage by an herbal source: Evidence for the role of free-radical toxic stress. Hum Exp Toxicol. 2008; 27: 901.
Elgawish RAR, Abdelrazek HMA. Conflicts of interest statement function and caspase-3-expression with respect to the protective effect of cinnamon in albino rats. Toxicol Rep. 2014; 1: 795-801.
Celik I, Yilmaz Z, Turkoglu V. Hematotoxic and hepatotoxic effects of dichlorvos at sublethal dosages in rats. Environ Toxicol. 2009; 24: 128-132.
Kingsley CK, Solomon NI, Odudu A. Haematological, biochemical and antioxidant changes in Wistar rats exposed to dichlorvos based insecticide formulation used in Southeast Nigeria. Toxics. 2016; 4(4): 28.
Osukoya OA, Adewale OB, Falade AE, Afolabi, OB, Awe JO, Obafemi TO, Kuku A. Antioxidant and antibacterial properties of Monodora myristica (Calabash nutmeg) seed protein hydrolysates. J. Food Meas Charact. 2001; 15:2854-2864.
Agiriga, A, Siwela M. Monodora myristica (Gaertn.) Dunal: A Plant with Multiple Food, Health and Medicinal Applications: A Review. Am.J. Food Technol. 2017; 12:271-284.
Erukainure OL, Oke OV, Owolabi FO, Kayode FO, Umahonlen, EE, Aliyu M. Chemical properties of Monodora myristica and its protective potentials against free radicals in vitro. Oxid Antioxid Med Sci. 2012; 1(2):127-132.
Akinwunmi KF, Oyedapo OO. In vitro anti-inflammatory evaluation of African nutmeg (Monodora myristica) seeds. European J Med Plants. 2015; 8(3):17-174.
Moukette BM, Pieme CA, Njimou JR, Biapa CPN, Marco B, Ngogang JY. In vitro antioxidant properties, free radicals scavenging activities of extracts and polyphenol composition of a non-timber forest product used as spice: Monodora myristica. Biol. Res. 2015; 48:1–17.
Ekeanyanwu CR, Ogu IG, Nwachukwu UP. Biochemical characteristics of the African nutmeg Monodora myristica from Nigeria. Afr. J. Biochem. Res. 2010; 6(9):115-120.
Uhegbu, FO, Iweala EJ, Kanu, I. Studies on the chemical and anti-nutritional content of some Nigerian spices. Int J Nutr Metab. 2011; 3(6):72-76.
Akinola OB, Oladosu OS, Dosumu, OO. Spermatoprotective activity of the leaf extract of Psidium guajava Linn. Niger Postgrad Med J. 2007; 14:273-276.
Uboh FE, Edet EE, Eteng MU, Eyong EU. Comparative effect of aqueous extract of P. guajava leaves and ascorbic acid on serum sex hormones levels in male and female rats. Appl. Sci. Res. 2010; 6:275-279.
Ekaluo UB, Erem FA, Omeje IS, Ikpeme, EV, Ibiang Y.B, Ekanem B.E. Is aqueous leaf extract of guava spermatotoxic in rat? IOSR J Environ Sci Toxicol Food Technol. 2013; 3:21-23.
Okonko LE, Ikpeme EV, Kalu SE. Sperm Profile and Testicular Weight Assessment of Albino Rats Administered African Nutmeg (Monodora myristica) and African Basil (Ocimum gratissimum). Asian. J. Biol. Sci. 2019; 12(3):477-481.
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). (2015). Structure of palmitic acid methyl ester. Webbook.nist.gov/cgi/cbook.
Oyeyemi WA, Daramola OO, Akinola AO, Idris AO, Aikpitanyi I. Hepatic and reproductive toxicity of sub-chronic exposure to dichlorvos and lead acetate on male Wistar rats. Asian Pac. J. Reprod. 2020; 9(6): 283-290.
Alam MN, Bristi NJ, Rafiquzzaman M. Review on in vivo and in vitro methods evaluation of antioxidant activity. Saudi Pharmaceut J. 2013; 21(2): 143-152.
El-Tantawy, WH. Antioxidant effects of Spirulina supplement against lead- acetate-induced hepatic injury in rats. J. Tradit. Med. Complement. 2016; 6(4):327-331.
Abdelhamid FM, Mahgoub HA, Ateya AI. Ameliorative effect of curcumin against lead acetate–induced hemato-biochemical alterations, hepatotoxicity, and testicular oxidative damage in rats. Environ Sci and Pollut Res. 2020; 27:10950-10965.
Akdemir FNE, Yildirim S, Kandemir FM, Kucukler S, Erasian E, Guler MC. Protective Effects of Baicalein and Bergenic Against Gentamicine induced hepatic and renal injuries in rats: An Immunohistochemical and Biochemical study. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2024;136(1). DOI:
10.1111/bcpt.14121.
Laamech J, El-Hilaly J Fetoui H, Chtourou Y, Gouitaa H, Lyoussi B, Tahraoui A. Berberis vulgaris L. effects on oxidative stress and liver injury in lead-intoxicated mice. J Complement Integr Med. 2017; 14(1). DOI: 10.1515/jcim-2015-0079.
Oyinloye BE, Adenowo AF, Osunsanmi FO, Ogunyinka BI, Nwozo SO, Kappo AP. Aqueous extract of Monodora myristica ameliorates cadmium-induced hepatotoxicity in male rats. Springer Plus. 2016; 5(1):641
El-Tohamy, M.M. and El-Nattat, W.S. Hepatoprotective Effect of Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid). Pharmacol and Pharm. 2010; 4:1
Patri S, Sahu S, Parida B, Baral B, Prusty A, Samanta L, Jena S. Effect of Lead acetate on oxidative stress and antioxidant defence system of Bacillus subtilis and plasmid (PBSIISK) isolated from DH5-alpha. Can J Biotechnol. 2017; 1:154.
Sudjarwo SA, Sudjarwo GW, Koerniasari. Protective effect of curcumin on lead acetate-induced testicular toxicity in Wistar rats. Res Pharm Sci. 2017; 12(5): 381-390.
Okselini T, Septama AW, Juhadmi D, Dewi RT, Angelina M, Yuhani T, Sargih GS, Saputri A. Quercetin as a therapeutic agent for skin problems: a systematic review and meta-analysis on antioxidant effects, oxidative stress, inflammation, wound healing, hyperpigmentation, aging and skin cancer. Naunyun Schmiedebergs Arch. Pharmacol. 2024. https: //doi.org/10.1007/s00210-024-03722-3.
Kurnia D, Meilinawati D, Marliani L, Febrina E, Asnawi A. A review of Tannin compounds in Avocado as Antioxidants. Trop J Nat Prod Res. 2024; 8(10): 8607-8616.
Morakinyo AE, Omoniyi FE, Nzekwe SC, Agbabiaka IO, Odole PA, Oyebamiji AK, dwin A, Bello-Ogunesan KO, Akintayo ET, Akintayo CO, Akintelu SA, Oyedepo TA, Babalola JO. Antioxidant, Anti-hyperlipidemic and cardioprotective potentials of diet supplemented with Parkia bioglobosa roasted seeds on isoproterenol-induced cardiotoxicity in Wistar rats. Trop J Nat Prod Res. 2022; 6(11): 1882-1887.
Flora G, Gupta D, Tiwari A. Toxicity of lead: A review with recent updates. Interdiscip. Toxicol. 2012; 5(2):47–58.