Nasal Snuff (Nigeria Local Smokeless Tobacco) Administration Raises Hepatic Enzyme Plasma Levels in Wistar Rats
Journal Title: European Journal of Medicinal Plants - Year 2016, Vol 16, Issue 2
Abstract
Aims: Smokeless tobacco (ST) is commonly used in many countries and is considered as alternative to tobacco smoke (TS) in view of the increasing awareness of the hazardous effects of TS. This study investigated the effects of 30 days oral administration of Nasal Snuff, a local ST in Nigeria (≈ 0.5 or 1 mg/kg nicotine) on liver function in prepubertal and adult rats, in comparison with nicotine. Place and Duration Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria; between February and April, 2014. Methodology: Rats were divided into 10 groups (5 groups for prepubertal and 5 groups for adult), and each group contained six animals. Prepubertal and adult rats were given Nasal Snuff, a local ST product (≈ 0.5 or 1 mg/kg nicotine, p.o.), nicotine (0.5 or 1 mg/kg, s.c.) or distilled water (control). At the end of 30 days of daily treatment, the rats were sacrificed and plasma levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and acid phosphatase (ACP) were measured. Histological analysis of the livers of animals was also done. Results: ST had no effect on ALP, but caused elevations in plasma levels of AST, ALT and ACP in prepubertal rats, producing 126.8, 602.9 and 193.2% increases, respectively. ST also increased AST (122.7%) and ALT (169%) in the adult rats. Nicotine did not cause changes in ALP and ACP levels, but increased AST and ALT in prepubertal (159.4 and 275.6%, respectively) and adult rats (137.1 and 496.7%, respectively). ST and nicotine caused comparable cytoplasmic degeneration of liver microstructure in prepubertal and adult rats. Conclusion: ST, particularly at high dose levels, poses potential danger of hepatotoxicity in young and adult animals.
Authors and Affiliations
Theresa Chioma Ugwu, Jonah Sydney Aprioku
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP349630
- DOI 10.9734/EJMP/2016/28215
- Views 122
- Downloads 0
Carcinogen Metabolizing Enzymes: Modulation of Their Activities in Liver, Lung and Stomach by Thymoquinone
Background: Thymoquinone (TQ), the bioactive constituent of black seed (Nigella sativa), has been shown to inhibit the growth of various human cancerous cells both in vitro and in vivo. Aim: To characterize the effects...
In vitro Membranous activity of Biosynthesized Gold Nanoparticle from Aqueous Leave Extract of Nelsonia canescens
Nano drug delivery technologies have advantages of transporting the drug to target site to better enhance its effectiveness, bioavailability and reduces side effects with dose frequency. In this study, the reducing capab...
Natural Medicines Enhancing Neurite Growth in Central Nervous System Disorders: A Review
Aim: This review provides attention to different species of plants protecting neurons and enhancing neurite growth. Methodology: Datas regarding the global burden of neurological disorders along with the use of different...
Importance of Some Bangladeshi Ethnomedicinal Plants: A Review
This review article was conducted to identify the effective ethnomedicinal plants on different diseases in the traditional culture of different regions across Bangladesh. Plants are very crucial to the human being not on...
Seed Germination of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal
Aim: Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal or Ashwagandha is a valuable medicinal plant having a consistent demand in pharmaceutical industries. Traditionally it is propagated from seeds but it’s germination capacity is poor. So...