The antioxidants as protectors of host stress organ injury in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei

Abstract

A study has been made of counteracting the stress organ injury in Plasmodium infection by means of antioxidants on the premise that free radicals are responsible for causing the injury to stress organs. This was evidenced by drastically altered biochemical parameters in liver and spleen of the host in terms of elevated levels of lipid peroxides and xanthine oxidase (XO) activity, and a fall in superoxide dismutase activity coupled with other drastic biochemical changes. The cardinal factor responsible for the above was considered to be XO which engenders free radicals purportedly responsible for the stress organ (biochemical) injury. Results demonstrate a lowering of lipid peroxide levels, xanthine oxidase activity, liver weight and modulation of protein level in liver of the host (mouse) in Plasmodium infection when treated with catechin, glutathione and propylgallate.