Protective Effect of Afang (Gnetum africanum) Vegetable Inclusive Diet in Cyclophosphamide-Induced Oxidative Stress in the Brain of Male Wistar Rats

Afang (Gnetum africanum) leafy parts are used in fore lore medicine and in soup preparation. The protective effect of dietary inclusion of Afang (2 and 4%) inclusive diet on cyclophosphamide (75 mg/kg body weight) induced oxidative stress in rat's brain was assessed on endogenous enzymes parameters. The dietary inclusion caused a significant (p<0.05) decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) produced in rat's brain while the key enzymes linked to neurodegeneration such as acetylcholinesterase, butylcholinesterase and monoamine oxidase activities decreased significantly when compared to cyclophosphamide-induced and the Donepezil groups as a result of the diet-inclusion. Also, there were reduction in alkaline phosphatase and aspartate amino transferase activities with an increase in catalase activity and vitamin C content, which indicates its high antioxidant properties. Afang leafy vegetable is rich in bioactive compounds and could be used to manage neurodegenerative diseases.