Protective and Antioxidant Role of Flavonoids of Solanum aethiopicum Leaf in Potassium Bromate Induced Toxicity in Wistar Rats
Potassium bromate (KBrO₃) is a potent oxidizing agent that induces oxidative stress and hepatic injury. This study investigated the protective effects of flavonoids extracted from Solanum aethiopicum leaves against KBrO₃-induced alterations in liver function, antioxidant status, and lipid profile in Wistar rats. Thirty rats were randomly assigned to six groups (n = 5): normal control, S. aethiopicum flavonoids (500 mg/kg), KBrO₃ (50 mg/kg), KBrO₃ + flavonoids (250 mg/kg), and KBrO₃ + flavonoids (500 mg/kg). At the end of the treatment period, serum liver function indices, antioxidant enzymes were determined using standard biochemical methods. Potassium bromate significantly (P < 0.05) reduced serum total protein, albumin, globulin, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT), while significantly increasing alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, malondialdehyde (MDA). Administration of S. aethiopicum flavonoids significantly reversed these alterations in a dose-dependent manner, with the 500 mg/kg dose showing greater protective effects than the 250 mg/kg dose. The flavonoid extract restored antioxidant enzyme activities, improved liver synthetic and excretory functions. These findings demonstrate that flavonoids extracted from Solanum aethiopicum leaves possess significant hepatoprotective, antioxidant properties against potassium bromate-induced toxicity. The observed protective effects are likely mediated through free radical scavenging, preservation of hepatocyte membrane integrity, and enhancement of endogenous antioxidant defenses. Solanum aethiopicum flavonoids therefore represent a promising natural therapeutic candidate for the prevention and management of oxidative stress-mediated liver dysfunction and associated metabolic disturbances. Keywords: Hepatoprotective, antioxidants, flavonoids, Solanum aethiopicum, potassium bromate.