Corresponding Author's Email Address: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Background: Oxidative stress plays a major role in the development of chronic and degenerative diseases. The
human body counteracts oxidative stress by producing antioxidants in situ or acquiring them through food.
Objective: To determine the phytochemical content of T. occidentalis and the effects of its aqueous extract on
some parameters in stress induced Wistar rats.
Methods: The phytochemical content of the leaves was analysed using standard methods. Twenty adult male
Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups of 5 rats each (3 test groups and 1 control group) and acclimatized for 3
days. Persistent stress was induced using water immersion induced stress from the 4th to the 17th day. The stressed
control group received animal feed and water only, while other stressed groups received animal feed, water and
graded dosages of T.occidentalis for 14 days. Blood samples were collected before and after for biochemical
parameters. The data obtained from the study were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 21.0. Two way
Analysis of Variance was performed and means were separated using Duncan’s new multiple range test.
Significance level was set at p<0.05.
Results: Flavonoid content of T.occidentalis was 32.60±0.20mg/100g, while alkaloids and carotenoids recorded
496.49±1.37mg/100g and 28.79±0.38mg/100g, respectively. The group treated with T.occidentalis showed a
significant (p<0.05) decrease in blood glucose when compared to the stress control. The group treated with the
extract showed an increase (p<0.05) in catalase activity but a decrease (p<0.05) in malondialdehyde among the
treatment groups of rats compared to the stress control group of rats after 14 day treatment period.
Conclusion: This study has proven that Telferia occidentalis is safe for consumption and is an effective tool in
stress management.

Keywords

Telferia occidentalis, Phytochemicals, Blood glucose, Stress, Antioxidants

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