Effects of Pre-treatment with Aqueous and Methanolic Leaf extracts of Morinda lucida (Benth) on Dichlorvos-Induced Toxicity in Balb/c mice

The pesticide Dichlorvos, also known as DDVP, is an organ ophosphate insecticide widely used in agriculture, institutional and industrial sites, homes, and on pets, that is, acutely toxic to animals including humans. DDVP is used by farmers in Nigeria although listed by WHO as a possible carcinogen. Morinda lucida is a Nigerian medicinal plant known to exhibit strong antioxidant activity and therefore may alleviate DDVP induced damage in cells. This study was designed to assess the potential of pre-treatment of Balb/c mice with Morinda lucida in reducing dichlorvos induced cell damage. Six groups of mice, each having five mice, were orally administered with the following: Group A— 0.1ml of 0.9% v/w Normal saline; Group B—0.1ml of 10mg/kg of DDVP only. Groups C, D, E and F were pre-treated with 0.1ml of 300 and 500mg/kg aqueous and methanol extracts of Morinda lucida leaves respectively and after 14days, with 0.1ml of 10mg/kg DDVP for five days. Haematological parameters, activities of Serum biochemical and antioxidant enzymes Malondialdehyde (MDA), Catalase (CAT), Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Glutathione superoxide hydrogenase (GSH) were measured to evaluate tissue damage by the pesticide. Compared with the Dichlorvos (only) group, mice pre-administered with Morinda lucida showed significantly (P<0.05) enhanced antioxidant activity, haematological and serum biochemical parameters. Morinda lucida reduced tissue damage resulting from dichlorovos and therefore, can be used to ameliorate Dichlorvos toxicity