Abstract
Combretum molle (C. molle) is an indigenous plant found in various parts of Africa. It is used as traditional medicine by elderly people to treat various medical conditions. The current study aimed to investigate its anti-ageing effects on the liver and spleen using a D-gal-induced ageing rat model. Thirty (30) adult male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups (n = 6) and given treatment for 90 days. Control: Saline and distilled water. C. molle+ D-gal 90: both D-gal and C. molle simultaneously for 90 days. C. molle+ D-gal 45: D-gal for 45 days and C. molle for the remaining 45 days. D-gal group: a subcutaneous injection of D-gal (150 mg/kg). Their weights, water and food intake were assessed. Colorimetric assays were used to evaluate the activity of the lipid peroxidation marker malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant activity markers glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT). There was no significant difference observed in the SOD and CAT activity among the groups in the serum while the MDA content was higher in the D-gal treated groups. The liver and spleen histology were stained using H&E and examined on a light microscope at 10x and 40x objectives. The results showed that C. molle reversed histo-morphological alterations in the liver and spleen, with a further reduction in MDA activity and low body weight gain.
These current findings suggest that the C. molle methanolic leaf extract has anti-ageing effects on the liver and spleen, as well as antioxidant activity.