EVALUATION OF OXIDATIVE STRESS IN BRAIN OF RATS EXPOSED TO ARSENIC, LEAD, CADMIUM MIXTURE AND TREATED WITH CHROMOLAENA ODORATA LEAF EXTRACT
Abstract
Heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and arsenic are persistent environmental toxicants that induce oxidative stress, particularly in the brain, where antioxidant defense capacity is limited. This study was designed to investigate the neuroprotective and antioxidative role of Chromolaena odorata leaf extract against oxidative stress extract caused by combined exposure to lead, cadmium and arsenic in male Wistar rats.Sixty rats were randomly divided into six groups: control, heavy metal only, three groups treated with heavy metals and varying doses of C. odorata extract (100, 200, and 300 mg/kg), and an extract only group. After fifty days of oral administration, brain tissues were harvested for biochemical analysis. The activity of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), and the level of Reduced Glutathione (GSH), Total Thiols (TSH), and Advanced Oxidized Protein Products (AOPP) were determined spectrophotometrically.Results revealed that heavy metal exposure significantly disrupted redox balance, with elevated SOD and AOPP levels and reduced TSH concentrations, indicating oxidative stress and protein damage.Co -treatment with C.odorata extract showed restored GSH,TSH alongside a reduction in SOD and AOPP levels, suggesting that Chromolaena odorata mitigate the neurotoxic effects of the heavy metals mixture.However, the C.odorata only group exhibited a high antioxidant profile comparable to the control confirming the extracts safety.This study demonstrates that Chromolaena odorata leaf extract possesses significant neuroprotective and antioxidative properties against multiple heavy metal induced oxidative stress in rat brain. Its bioactive phytochemicals likely act through radical scavenging, metal chelation, and enhancement of endogenous antioxidant defense. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of C. odorata as a natural intervention in mitigating heavy metal neurotoxicity, although further studies are needed to assess its long-term safety and efficacy in humans.
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