Clerodendrum volubile and Vernonia amygdalina flavonoid fractions exhibit toxic metal chelation, microminerals, and thiol systems – augmenting potentials in arsenic exposed male rats

Abstract

Exposure to arsenic from drinking water poses a significant threat to public health worldwide. Clerodendrum volubile and Vernonia amygdalina are potent natural sources of antioxidants to mitigate the toxic effect of arsenic. This study evaluated the effects of flavonoid fractions from C. volubile and V. amygdalina (FICV and FIVA) on the thiol cycling pathways and ion regulation of male albino rats exposed to sub-acute arsenic. Thirty male rats were randomly divided into six treatment groups. Control animals (distilled water), arsenic (40 ppm arsenic), arsenic + FICV (100 mg/kg), arsenic + FIVA (100 mg/kg), arsenic + FICV and FIVA (50 mg/kg each) and arsenic + Vitamin C (100 mg/kg). The treatment commenced four weeks after exposure to arsenic in drinking water and continued for a further four weeks. The liver and kidneys of the rats were excised following an overnight fast. Arsenic had caused significant (p<0.05) reductions in the total protein levels and metallothionein levels, reduced glutathione levels in the liver and kidneys, and decreased glutathione-S-transferase enzymatic activity. Additionally, essential elements (magnesium, zinc, copper and calcium) were significantly reduced (p<0.05) in the arsenic-exposed rats. Study results showed that the reductions were reversed after treatment with FICV and FIVA. This study concludes that flavonoid fractions from C. volubile and V. amygdalina possess potent therapeutic actions against arsenic-induced oxidative stress and toxicity in male albino rats.