Effect of Aystasia Gangetica on Oxidative Stress Biomarker Level in the Cerebellar Cortex of Adult Male Wistar Rat Induced With Flunitrazepam

Flunitrazepam (FNZ) is a potent hypnotic, sedative and amnestic drug used to treat insomnia and as a preanesthetic. Flunitrazepam is increasingly abused by young people. Asytasia gangetica is a traditional medicine used in the treatment of rheumatism. This study is aimed at assessing the effect of Asystasia gangetica on the oxidative stress biomarkers; superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and catalase (CAT), in the cerebellar cortex of male Wistar rat treated with flunitrazepam.
Twenty-four adult male Wistar rat were randomly selected into four groups (1, 2, 3, and 4), Group 1 (control group) received 1ml of distilled water orally for a period of 21 day, While Group 2 rat was administered with 20mg/kg of flunitrazepam only for a period of 21days, Group 3 Rats were co-administered with 20mg/kg of flunitrazepam and Asystasia gangetica aqueous extract at a dose of 500mg/kg only for a period of 21 days, Group 4 rats received only 500mg/kg of Asystatia gangetica aqueous extract for a period of 21days at alternate day. The animal was sacrificed on 22nd day. The cerebellar cortex was harvested and preserved in 0.25M sucrose solution for biochemical evaluation.
The result shows a decrease in the activity of SOD in group 2 and 3, but an increase in group 4 when compared to the control group. There was an increase in MDA level in group 2 and 3 but decrease in group 4 compared to the control group. There was a decrease in CAT level in group 2 and 4 but increased in group 3 compared to control group.
From the result, Asystasia gangetica has a valuable natural therapy for managing oxidative stress in the cerebellar cortex and enhancing overall antioxidant capacity in flunitrazepam treated male Wistar rat.