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EFFECTS OF TELFERIA OCCIDENTALIS AND VERNONIA AMYGDALINA ON ANTIOXIDANTS (SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE, AND CATALASE) AND MALONDIADEHYDE IN BRAIN, PLASMA AND LIVER IN HIGH SUCROSE DIET FED RATS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Oxidative stress is a key factor in the development of several chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. High sucrose diets have been linked to oxidative stress due to their high levels of free radicals and reactive oxygen species. Antioxidants are known to play an important role in combating oxidative stress by neutralizing these free radicals and reactive oxygen species. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of Telferia occidentalis and Vernonia amygdalina on antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and catalase) and malondialdehyde in the brain, plasma, and liver of high sucrose diet-fed rats. T. occidentalis and V. amygdalina are widely used in traditional medicine to treat several diseases due to their potent antioxidant properties. This study seeks to explore their potential as therapeutic agents in combating oxidative stress associated with high sucrose diets. The findings of this study may contribute to the development of new therapeutic strategies for managing and preventing oxidative stress-induced diseases. Oxidative stress is a major contributor to the development of several diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. High sucrose diets are known to be a major source of oxidative stress due to their high levels of free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) (Alemika, et al., 2021). These ROS can cause damage to cellular components, including DNA, proteins, and lipids, leading to the development of chronic diseases. Antioxidants play a crucial role in combating oxidative stress by neutralizing these ROS and reducing the risk of chronic diseases (Ghorbani & Hadjzadeh, 2021).

Telferia occidentalis and Vernonia amygdalina are two commonly used medicinal plants in Nigeria. They have been traditionally used to treat several diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, and oxidative stress (Bamisaye et al., 2020). These plants are known to possess potent antioxidant properties due to their high content of polyphenols and flavonoids (Bamisaye et al., 2020). The antioxidant properties of T. occidentalis and V. amygdalina make them ideal candidates for investigating their potential protective effects against oxidative stress-induced damage in high sucrose diet-fed rats.

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) are two important antioxidant enzymes that play a vital role in combating oxidative stress. SOD is an enzyme that catalyzes the dismutation of superoxide radicals into hydrogen peroxide and molecular oxygen, while CAT is an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen (Ghorbani & Hadjzadeh, 2021). These enzymes work together to protect the cells from oxidative stress-induced damage.

Malondialdehyde (MDA) is a marker of lipid peroxidation, which is a process that occurs when free radicals attack lipids in the cell membrane. The measurement of MDA levels is an important indicator of the extent of lipid peroxidation in the cell membrane and is used to assess oxidative stress (Bamisaye et al., 2020).

Several studies have reported the potential antioxidant effects of T. occidentalis and V. amygdalina. For example, a study by Bamisaye et al. (2020) investigated the antioxidant properties of T. occidentalis and V. amygdalina in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The study found that both plants significantly increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes and decreased the levels of oxidative stress markers. Another study by Alemika et al. (2021) investigated the