Asian Journal of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering

Background: The use of herbal products is very common among rural dwellers, although these products posses prophylactic, therapeutic and curative capacities. Unguarded doses most times often result in cellular and tissue damage in the body. This study was undertaken to evaluate the assault caused by Nauclea latifolia on lactate dehydrogenase, superoxide dismutase and DNA damage assay in Wistar rats following testicular tissue damage.

Methods: Forty (40) male Wistar rats divided into eight (8) groups were used for this investigation (n=5). The animals were administered with 3mg of alcohol/kg b.w alone, 5 mg of testosterone/kg b.w, 500 mg of ethanolic leaf extract of Nauclea latifolia/kg b.w, 1000 mg of ethanolic leaf extract of Nauclea latifolia/kg b.w, 1500 mg of ethanolic leaf extract of Nauclea latifolia/kg b.w, 3 mg of alcohol/kg b.w and 500 mg of of ethanolic leaf extract of Nauclea latifolia/kg b.w, 5mg of testosterone and 500 mg of ethanolic leaf extract of Nauclea latifolia/kg b.w and the control received 15 % tween 80 (10 ml of tween 80/kg b.w ) respectively. The experiment lasted for 21 days.

Results: Ethanolic leaf extract of Nauclea latifolia at doses of 500, 1000 and 1500 mg/kg b.w of rats significantly increased DNA damage and lactate dehydrogenase.

Conclusion:  Increased in these biochemical parameters signify increased tissue damage.