Cnidoscolus aconitifolius (Mill.) I. M. Johnst leaf extract prevents oxidative hepatic injury and improves muscle glucose uptake ex vivo.

Total phenol, total flavonoid, and ameliorative potentials of aqueous leaf extract of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius in Fe²⁺ -induced oxidative stress in hepatic tissue and muscle glucose uptake using ex vivo models were assessed. These were carried out using standard procedures. The results revealed that the extract showed the presence of total phenol and total flavonoid, as well as free radicals scavenging abilities in a dose-dependent manner. Also, the aqueous leaf extract of C. aconitifolius enhanced Fe²⁺ -induced oxidative injury in hepatic tissue by considerably reducing the concentration of lipid peroxidation, with improvement in the activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the extract enhanced glucose uptake in psoas muscle. It can be deduced from this study that the extract might be beneficial to people with diabetes mellitus. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Aqueous leaf extract of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius displayed the presence of total phenol and total flavonoid, as well as an increase in free radical scavenging activities in a dose-dependent manner. The plant extract also improved Fe²⁺ -induced oxidative injury in hepatic tissue by decreasing lipid peroxidation concentration, improved the activities of catalase as well as superoxide dismutase, with enhancement in glucose uptake of psoas muscle in a dose-dependent manner.