POTENTIAL AMELIORATION OF MELIA AZEDARACHL AGAINST NICOTINE-INDUCED OXIDATIVE STRESS IN THE FEMALE RATS

Abstract

The protective effect in female rat by oral administration of Melia azedarach (100 mg/kg bw /day) against ovarian and
uterine oxidative stress induced by subcutaneous injection of nicotine (4mg/kg bw/day), was studied. After 30 days,
nicotine treatment increased production of malondialdehyde in the nicotine-treated groupwhich was accompanied by
marked alterations in the levels of activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, GSH, vitamin C and E.Compared to nicotine
alone, the combined treatment of nicotine with Melia azedarach significantly lowered the level of lipid peroxides and
enhanced the antioxidant status. The group of rats given Melia azedarach without exposure to nicotine exhibited no
significant changes in the above indices. Thus the results from this study showed that Melia azedarach exerted a protective
action against nicotine-induced oxidative stress and disturbance of ovarian functions in the rat.