Inhibition of cyclophosphamide-induced oxidative stress in rat brain by polar and non-polar extracts of Annatto (Bixa orellana) seeds

Annatto (Bixa orellana) seeds are widely distributed throughout the Tropics and have been used to provide both colour and flavour to food. This study sought to assess the ability of dietary inclusion of polar (water) and non-polar (chloroform) extracts of Annatto (B. orellana) seeds on cyclophosphamide-induced oxidative stress in rat brain. The total phenol content and antioxidant activities of polar (water) and non-polar (chloroform) extracts of Annatto seeds were determined in vitro and in vivo. The results of the study showed that intraperitoneal administration of cyclophosphamide (75 mg/kg of body weight) caused a significant increase (P<0.05) in the malondialdehyde (MDA) content of the brain; however, dietary inclusion of Annatto seed extracts (0.1% and 0.2%) caused dose-dependent significant decrease (P<0.05) in the MDA content of the brain. Likewise, the extracts also caused dose-dependent inhibition of the elevated serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin. However, the non-polar extract had significantly higher inhibitory effects on the elevated MDA production in brain and serum liver function markers. This higher protective effect of the non-polar extract could be attributed to its higher antioxidant properties as typified by its significantly higher (P<0.05) reducing power, free-radical scavenging and Fe (II) chelating ability. Therefore, dietary inclusion of Annato seed extracts as food colourant could prevent oxidative stress occasioned by cyclophosphamide administration, but the non-polar extract is a better protectant.