Original Articles
Chiagoziem A. Otuechere and Eb
Abstract
The comparative antioxidant and scavenging properti es of Garcinia kola seeds extract (GKSE) and Vitami n E (VE) were evaluated in a series of in vitro assays invol ving free radicals and reactive oxygen species. GKS E and VE exhibited marked scavenging effects (26-68%) on 1, 1 diphenyl 2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical ion in a concentration dependent manner. But VE showed a bet ter DPPH radical scavenging activity of 68% when compared with the 40% scavenging effect of GKSE. Fu rthermore, GKSE inhibited the superoxide (O 2 . ) radical more obviously than VE. At 500μg/ml, GKSE and VE scaveng ed O 2 . by 69% and 62% respectively. The scavenging of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) by GKSE was comparable with VE especially at higher concentrations (300- 500 μg/ml). GKSE and VE were also effective at modulating the M alondialdehyde (MDA) formation observed in the kidn eys of potassium-bromate (KBrO 3 ) treated rats. A significant increase (p<0.05) in MDA levels in kidneys treated with KBrO 3 was observed when compared with the control group. GKSE and VE elicited a 82% and 87% decrease in KBrO 3 -induced increase in MDA formation in the kidney, r espectively. The results of the present investigati on suggested that GKSE and VE are potent chemopreventi ve agents and may suppress KBrO 3 mediated renal oxidative stress in rat