In Vitro Antioxidant Properties of Dialium Guineense and Effects of Ethanol Extracts on Electrolytes in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Dialium guineense (D. guineense), a plant known for its ethno medicinal uses in West Africa, contains a variety of photochemical that may contribute to its antioxidant potential. This study investigated the in vitro antioxidant properties of D. guineense and evaluated the effects of its ethanol extracts on electrolyte balance in Wistar rats. The in vitro activities were assessed using standard assays including lipoxygenase scavenging, xanthine oxisae, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging, hydroxyl radical and 2,2’-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid. For the in vivo component, sixteen adult Wistar rats were randomly assigned into control and treatment groups. The treated groups received oral doses of ethanol extracts of D. guineense for 14 days, after which serum electrolytes-sodium (Na⁺), potassium (K⁺), chloride (Cl⁻), and bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) were analysed. The in vitro antioxidant results obtained show a concentration-dependent antioxidant activity, indicating that the activity increases with increasing concentration. The serum electrolytes results showed that the extract prevent alteration of the electrolyte levels which suggest a modulatory effect. These findings indicate that D. guineense possesses strong antioxidant properties and may influence electrolyte homeostasis, supporting its traditional use and potential therapeutic application in oxidative stress-related and electrolyte imbalance disorders.