EFFECTS OF CHRONIC CONSUMPTION OF CALABASH CHALK ON OXIDATIVE STRESS MARKERS AND LIPID PROFILE IN WISTAR RATS

Authors

  • Atim I. Okpo-Ene Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria. Author
  • Adie U. Polycarp Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria. Author
  • Umoh N. Okon Department of Medical Bacteriology, Virology and Mycology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria. Author
  • Obi M. Paulica Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria. Author
  • Agonna O. Odeh Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria. Author
  • Eme O. Efiom Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria. Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26538/tjdr/v3i2.1

Keywords:

Oxidative stress, calabash chalk, lipid profile, cardiac risk ratio, atherogenic index

Abstract

Purpose: Calabash chalk consumption has been reported to cause various systemic alterations, which may affect some homeostatic mechanisms in the body. This study aimed to demonstrate the effect of chronic consumption of calabash chalk on oxidative stress markers and lipid profile. Methods: Ten Wistar rats weighing 160-180 g were divided randomly into 2 groups of 5 rats each. Group one was the control group and received 1 ml of distilled water daily, while group two served as the test group and received 1 ml of calabash chalk suspension orally daily. In addition, all animals were given food and water ad libitum. The experiment lasted for 28 days, followed by animal sacrifice; oxidative stress markers- {superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)}, lipid profile- {triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), high-density lipoproteins (HDL), and low-density lipoproteins (LDL)}, cardiac risk ratio, and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) were studied. Results: SOD, CAT, and GPx concentrations were significantly lower (p<0.01) in the test group compared to the control. Conversely, MDA concentration was significantly higher (p<0.01) in the test group compared with the control, while serum TG, HDL, VLDL, and TC concentrations were not significantly different between the 2 groups. However, LDL, AIP, and cardiac risk ratio were significantly increased compared with the control. Conclusion: Chronic consumption of calabash chalk reduces the efficiency of antioxidant defenses, leading to increased oxidative stress.

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Published

2026-04-20

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 2 (2026): Tropical Journal of Drug Discovery

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How to Cite

Okpo-Ene, A. I., Polycarp, A. U., Okon, U. N., Paulica, O. M., Odeh, A. O., & Efiom, E. O. (2026). EFFECTS OF CHRONIC CONSUMPTION OF CALABASH CHALK ON OXIDATIVE STRESS MARKERS AND LIPID PROFILE IN WISTAR RATS. Tropical Journal of Drug Research, 3(2), 366-381. https://doi.org/10.26538/tjdr/v3i2.1

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