Activities of Some Antioxidant Enzymes in Some Tissues of Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatotoxic Albino Rats Treated with Anacardium Occidentale Stem Bark Aqueous Extract

Liver is a vital organ present in vertebrates, which has a wide range of functions including aiding of digestion, detoxification and protein biosynthesis. But the ability of the liver to perform these functions can be compromised by numerous substances it is daily exposed to, including certain medicinal agents which when taken in over doses. Liver damage, just like many other diseased conditions can lead to oxidative stress, especially when the body’s antioxidant system is overwhelmed by the free radicals thus generated. A major component of this antioxidant system are the natural antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase manufactured in the body, which provide an important defense against free radicals usually generated in diseased conditions. Most synthetic anti-hepatotoxicity drugs available present serious side effects and are generally out of reach of the common man. Consequently, the effect of administration of aqueous extract of Anacardium occidentale stem bark on the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in some tissues of acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxic rats was investigated. There was a significant (p