Assessment of Blighia sapida on Cholinergic and Antioxidant Enzymes; Possible Use of the Plant Stem-Bark Extract as a Biological Pest Controlling Agent

The harmful effects of synthetic pesticides include neurological, behavioural dysfunctions, hormonal imbalances, and water pollution. Hydro-alcohol extract of the stem bark of B. sapida was studied for pesticidal effects on Glutathione S-transferases (GST) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) using a rat model. Various concentrations of the extract were administered to six different groups, of three male and three female groups of rats (50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg bwt. respectively), two synthetic 10% (w/v) groups and a control group. Blood plasma, liver, and brain were obtained at the end of 28 days sub-acute test, from the Wistar rats for biochemical assay. The results showed that there was a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities in the brain of female rats while that of males was not significant (P > 0.05) compared to control. Also in GST, a significant increase (P < 0.05) in all the doses in liver but only at 100 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg in plasma of female rats, was observed compared to control while in male rats, a significant increase in both liver and plasma at 100 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg but not significant at 50 mg/kg was observed. The non-significant difference was observed in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and total protein (TP) activities in both sexes at 50 mg/kg compared to control. It was concluded that hydro-alcohol extract of B. sapida significantly reduced the levels of AChE and GST activities at higher and lower doses respectively. This property of the plant could be exploited in the formulation of agents useful in pest control.