Research Article
Effect of Hydromethanolic Leaf Extracts of Chromolaena odorata and Carica papaya on Inflammatory Markers and Digestive Enzyme Activities of Cadmium Damage in Rats
Waribo Helen Anthony*
,
Igattah Prudence Akachukwu,
Ibitoroko Maureen George-Opuda
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 5, October 2026
Pages:
98-104
Received:
30 September 2026
Accepted:
19 October 2026
Published:
31 October 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajbls.20261405.11
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Abstract: Background: Cadmium (Cd) is an environmental toxicant associated with inflammation and gastrointestinal injury. Cadmium-induced intestinal injury is associated with inflammatory activation and impairment of intestinal epithelial and brush-border functions. This study evaluated the effects of hydromethanolic leaf extracts of Carica papaya (HECP) and Chromolaena odorata (HECO), administered individually and in combination, on inflammatory markers and intestinal enzyme activities in cadmium-exposed Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Sixty-four Wistar rats were randomly assigned to eight groups. Intestinal injury was induced with cadmium chloride (20 mg/kg) orally for 14 days. This was followed by 14 days of treatment with C. papaya extract (300 or 600 mg/kg), C. odorata extract (250 or 500 mg/kg), or combined extracts (300 or 600 mg/kg). Serum cadmium, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), lipase, trypsin and intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP), together with intestinal alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and histopathology of mid-jejunal tissues were assessed. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. Results: Cadmium significantly increased IL-6, TNF-α, lipase, trypsin and I-FABP activities, while intestinal ALP activity was significantly reduced (p<0.001). Histologically, cadmium caused villous atrophy, villous fusion, epithelial disruption and crypt changes IL-6 increased from 17.10±2.01 pg/mL in controls to 198.57±7.88 pg/mL in cadmium-exposed rats. High-dose C. papaya reduced IL-6 to 25.83±0.73 pg/mL. TNF-α increased from 38.13±1.91 to 52.17±2.54 pg/mL; the high-dose combined extract produced 29.47±4.92 pg/mL. Intestinal ALP decreased from 537.67±20.13 to 242.67±13.80 IU/L and increased to 430.33±13.58 IU/L with high-dose combined treatment. Lipase and trypsin and I-FABP returned to near-normal values after extract treatment with the high-dose combined extract showing the most favourable overall pattern. There was an improved histological recovery. Conclusion: These findings suggest that Hydromethanolic extracts of C. papaya and C. odorata attenuated cadmium-associated inflammatory responses and disturbances in intestinal enzyme activities while enhancing tissue-protective mechanisms in wistar rats.
Abstract: Background: Cadmium (Cd) is an environmental toxicant associated with inflammation and gastrointestinal injury. Cadmium-induced intestinal injury is associated with inflammatory activation and impairment of intestinal epithelial and brush-border functions. This study evaluated the effects of hydromethanolic leaf extracts of Carica papaya (HECP) and...
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Research Article
Antibacterial Effect and Bio-enhancing Potential of Cow Urine Against Clinically Isolated Bacteria
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 5, October 2026
Pages:
105-115
Received:
1 October 2026
Accepted:
20 October 2026
Published:
31 October 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajbls.20261405.12
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Views:
Abstract: Infectious diseases remain a serious global health threat, which is increasingly amplified by growing antimicrobial resistance worldwide. Traditional remedies, such as cow urine (Gaumutra), have been historically documented in Ayurvedic medicine for their therapeutic applications. Notably, Cow urine has been granted a US patent (no. 6410059) for its antibacterial and bio-enhancing properties. This study investigates the in-vitro antibacterial activity and bio-enhancing capacity of cow urine against clinically isolated bacterial pathogens. A laboratory-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences (MMIHS) and Manmohan Memorial Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu. Four clinical bacterial isolates (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus faecalis) were used. Thirty cow urine samples were collected from various locations in the Kathmandu valley and processed into fresh, distilled, and photoactivated forms. Antibacterial activity was assessed using the agar well diffusion method, comparing the Zone of Inhibition (ZOI) with standard antibiotics. Optical density at 600 nm was recorded to evaluate growth-inhibition kinetics (turbidity). Only fresh cow urine demonstrated antibacterial activity showing effectiveness exclusively against Gram-positive bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus (23%) and Enterococcus faecalis (23%). Antibacterial activity was statistically associated with acidic pH, although activity persisted after pH adjustment. Cow urine also showed significant bio-enhancing capacity when combined with standard antibiotics against Klebsiella pneumoniae (20.63±1.9 mm), Staphylococcus aureus (17.93±4.0 mm), and Enterococcus faecalis (17.8±3.1 mm). Urea alone, at the concentrations measured in the active samples, produced no measurable inhibition under the experimental conditions. Overall, fresh cow urine exhibited measurable in vitro antibacterial and antibiotic-enhancing activity under the conditions tested, particularly against Gram-positive bacteria. Further studies are warranted to identify and characterize the bioactive compounds responsible for these activities and to elucidate their potential mechanisms of action.
Abstract: Infectious diseases remain a serious global health threat, which is increasingly amplified by growing antimicrobial resistance worldwide. Traditional remedies, such as cow urine (Gaumutra), have been historically documented in Ayurvedic medicine for their therapeutic applications. Notably, Cow urine has been granted a US patent (no. 6410059) for it...
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