Biochemistry
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Item PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF Pterocarpus mildbraedii HARMS EXTRACT ON PROPANIL-INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY AND ALTERATIONS IN APOPTOTIC-RELATED PROTEINS IN WISTAR RATS(2017-05) OTUECHERE, C.AOne of the probable causes of liver diseases is exposure to environmental chemicals. Agrochemicals containing propanil are known to induce hepatic toxicity. Pterocarpus mildbraedii leaf is used in traditional medicine to treat various disorders without scientific justification. This study was designed to investigate the protective role of extract of Pterocarpus mildbraedii against propanil-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Pterocarpus mildbraedii leaves, purchased from Oyingbo market, Lagos State, were authenticated at the University of Lagos Herbarium (LUT/5913). Powdered leaf was extracted in soxhlet, using dichloromethane:methanol (1:1), to yield crude extract of Pterocarpus mildbraedii (PME). Sixty-four male Wistar rats (130-160 g), comprising of eight groups (n=8) were used for these experiments. Rats were treated orally with normal saline (control), PME (100 mg/kg), PME (200 mg/kg), PME (400 mg/kg), propanil (200 mg/kg), PME (100 mg/kg) + propanil (200 mg/kg), PME (200 mg/kg) + propanil (200 mg/kg) and PME (400 mg/kg) + propanil (200 mg/kg) for seven consecutive days. Hepatic tissues and serum were assayed for markers of hepatic damage, oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), bilirubin (BIL), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and nitric oxide (NO) were assayed by spectrophotometry. Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS), Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), Caspase 3, Caspase 9, Bax, Bcl-2 expressions were measured using immunohistochemistry. Tumour suppressor p53, Bcl-2 antagonist of cell death (Bad), NF-κB, inhibitor of total nuclear factor-kappa B α (IκB α), stress activated protein kinase/ C Jun NH2-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT 3) were assessed by ELISA. Histopathology of liver was determined by microscopy and apoptosis by TUNEL assay. Data were analysed using ANOVA at α0.05. The yield of PME was 41.9%. Administration of propanil significantly increased AST (132.10±6.32 U/L), LDH (85.70±6.60 U/L), BIL (1.15±0.16 mg/dL), SOD (0.97±0.05 U/mg protein), MDA (1.03±0.08 µgMDA/mg protein), MPO (4.98±0.12 µmol/min/mg protein) and NO (0.38 µmol/mg protein) relative to control (115.90±8.65, 32.84±9.39, 1.15±0.16, 0.38± 0.01, 0.40±0.11, 2.47±0.10 and 0.19± 0.05, respectively). Pre-treatment of propanil-exposed rats with PME (200 mg/kg) significantly decreased LDH (83%), BIL (50%), SOD (50.5%), MDA (33.1%), MPO (63.3%) and NO (59.5%). Further, propanil administration decreased the levels of GSH (2.98±0.24 µg/mg protein) and CAT (52.7±0.24 µmol H202 consumed/min/g tissue) when compared with the controls (2.04±0.09 and 51.00±0.51). However, intervention with PME restored these serum biochemical indices and antioxidant parameters back to normal values. Expressions of iNOS, COX-2, NFκB, Caspase 3, Caspase 9 and Bax were higher in the propanil group relative to control. Levels of signaling mediators p38 (81.28±7.70), STAT 3 (88.80±4.40) and NF-κB (72.76± 5.30) were lower, while SAPK (125.39±9.30), IκB α (115.83±5.60) and Bad (112.48±4.70) were higher in propanil-treated rats relative to control value set at 100. TUNEL-positive nuclei and severe periportal fibrosis were observed in tissues following propanil exposure. However, pre-treatment with PME significantly attenuated the observed propanil-induced inflammation and apoptosis. Pterocarpus mildbraedii extract protected against propanil-induced hepatotoxicity via mechanisms that involved its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties.Item EFFECTS OF LAMIVUDINE ON BIOCHEMICAL INDICES IN RATS.(2014-05) OLANIYAN, LAMIDI WAHEED BABATUNDELamivudine (L(-)21,31–dideoxy–3-thiacytidine) is an antiretroviral drug which exhibits tissue toxicity leading to peripheral neuropathy and parkinsonism. The exact mechanism of cytotoxicity and effects on target tissues are not well understood. This study was designed to elucidate the effects of lamivudine on biochemical indices in the liver, kidney and brain of rats. Female Wistar rats (180-200g) were randomly assigned into 5 groups of 6 rats each treated orally for 45 days with normal saline (Control), 4 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg lamivudine respectively. Rats were sacrificed after 12 hours fast and blood (6 mL) collected. Serum obtained was used for biochemical analysis. Serum Alanine and Aspartate Aminotransferases (ALT and AST), Quinine Oxidase (QO), γ–GlutamylTransferase(GGT), urinary trehalase activities as well as urinary creatinine and protein were determined by spectrophotometric techniques while urinary magnesium (Mg2+) level was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. In the liver, kidney and brain, the activities of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Glutathione-S-Transferase (GST) and levels of malondialdehyde (MDA, index of lipid peroxidation) were determined. Histology of the liver and kidney was assessed using hematoxylin and eosin stain. Data were analysed using ANOVA at p=0.05. Lamivudine (500 mg/kg) produced significant increases in the activities of serum ALT, AST, GGT and QO (33.2±3.9, 56.4±7.2, 16.3±1.8 IU/L and 10.1±1.7 Baier’s Unit (BU)) relative to controls (21.3±1.5, 42.6±1.9, 11.1±0.7 IU/L and 4.9±1.0 BU) respectively. The drug at 20, 100 and 500 mg/kg increased hepatic GGT activities by 3.1, 4.0 and 5.2 folds while hepatic GST increased by 1.7, 1.8 and 2.0 folds relative to controls respectively. Renal GST activities significantly increased in lamivudine (100 and 500 mg/kg) treated rats (3.15±0.12, 3.57±0.23x 10-2 U/mg protein) relative to control (1.74±0.23x 10-2 U/mg protein). The level of hepatic MDA in control was 0.06±0.01 nmol/mg protein while lamivudine at 100 and 500 mg/kg significantly increased MDA levels (0.17±0.03, 0.22±0.04 respectively). Also, lamivudine at 100 and 500 mg/kg significantly increased renal MDA levels by 125% and 189% respectively when compared with the control. The activity of hepatic SOD in control was 9.9±0.7 U/mg protein. Treatment with lamivudine (20, 100 and 500 mg/kg) significantly increased SOD activities (14.7±1.5, 18.4±1.2, 16.5±1.3 U/mg protein). Similar trend was observed for renal SOD UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN LIBRARY activities of rats treated with lamivudine. Administration of lamivudine at 100 mg/kg significantly increased urinary trehalase activity (324.1±15.3 vs 157.8±18.6 U/mg per ml), urinary Mg2+ concentration (8.6±0.4 vs 4.8±0.5x10-3/mg/ml) and urinary protein (2.9±0.29 mg/ mlvs 1.4±0.14mg/ml). However, there were no significant differences in the values of brain SOD, MDA, and urinary creatinine in lamivudine-treated animals relative to controls. Histological sections of rats treated with lamivudine (100 and 500 mg/kg) showed visible lesions in the liver (hydropic degeneration) and kidney (cortical congestions). Repeated administration of lamivudine altered biochemical indices accompanied by visible histologic effects in the liver and kidney of the rats. The biochemical alterations appear to be mediated by oxidative stress. Keywords: Biochemical Indices, Cytotoxicity, Lamivudine, Oxidative stress. Word count: 484Item ANTIMALARIAL AND ANTITUBERCULAR ACTIVITIES OF CRUDE METHANOL EXTRACT AND FRACTIONS OF THE BULB OF CRINUM JAGUS ( Linn.)(2015-02) KOLAWOLE, ADEBOLA OLAYEMICrinum jagus is a medicinal plant used traditionally to treat tuberculosis, malaria and other bacterial infections. However, there are limited documented scientific studies to substantiate the use of this plant. Due to increase in resistance to malaria and tuberculosis drugs, the need for the development of other drugs is pertinent. This study was designed to determine the pharmacological activities of extract and fractions of Crinum jagus. Methanol extract of C. jagus obtained by soxhlet extraction was subjected to phytochemical analysis and fractionated using column chromatography. Antitubercular and antimicrobial activities of the extract and its fractions were evaluated against isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and selected microorganisms using the disc and agar diffusion methods. Antimalarial activity was assessed in vivo using Rane’s test in Plasmodium berghei infected mice (n = 80 in 10 groups) treated orally with tween 80 (control), 10, 25, 50 and 75 mg/kg of extract and its fractions at 10 mg/kg respectively, while chloroquine (10 mg/kg) and arteether (3 mg/kg) groups served as positive controls. Anti-inflammatory potential was assessed in rats using carrageenan-induced paw inflammatory model. In vitro antioxidant potentials were determined spectrophotometrically using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl radical scavenging activities, Total Flavonoids Contents (TFC) and Phenolic Contents (TPC) Antioxidant indices- Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT) activities and levels of Malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced Glutathione (GSH) were determined by spectrophotometry. Aspartate (AST) and Alanine (ALT) amino transferases and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) were estimated spectrophotometrically. Data were analysed by Student’s t test at p = 0.05. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols and steroids in the crude extract. The extract and its fractions (F1, F2 and F3) showed a concentration- dependent inhibition of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, with F1 having the lowest IC50of : 0.22mg/mL relative to rifampicin (IC50 : 0.19mg/mL) and isoniazid (0.23mg/mL). The extract at 10, 25, 50, 75 mg/kg and F1, F2 and F3 at 10 mg/kg suppressed parasitaemia in Plasmodium berghei infected mice by 70.0, 76.0, 79.0, 87.0% and 89.0, 76.0, 78.0% respectively relative to chloroquine (100%) and arteether (89.0%). The extract at 10, 25, 50, 75 mg/kg and F1, F2 and F3 at 10 mg/kg inhibited oedema in rat paws by 26.0, 30.0, 32.0, 66.0% and 80.0, 25.0, 52.0% UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN LIBRARY iii respectively when compared with indomethacin (95.0%). The extract and its fractions significantly scavenged DPPH and hydroxyl radical in vitro. The TPC and TFC of extract, F1, F2 and F3 at 500 μg/ml were 0.310, 0.460, 0.240, 0.380 μg/mg and 0.523, 0.864, 0.396, 0.643 μg/g respectively. The extract and its fractions significantly reduced MDA level while GSH, SOD and CAT levels were increased. Activities of AST, ALT and ALP were significantly increased at 50 and 75 mg/kg body weight of extract . Crinum jagus exhibited antitubercular, antimalarial and anti-inflammatory activities via scavenging of radicals and antioxidative mechanism. This indicates a promising potential of the plant for drug development. Keywords: Crinum jagus, antituberculosis, antimalarial, antioxidant. Word Count: 471 .Item CYTOTOXICITY OF HEXAVALENT CHROMATE COMPOUNDS IN CH310T1/2 CELLS AND CYTOMODULATION BY SODIUM ARSENITE AND METHANOL EXTRACT OF Rauvolfia vomitora (Afzel) IN MICE.(2015-02) AKINWUMI, KAZEEM AKINYINKAExposure to certain hexavalent chromate compounds (HCC) causes lung and colon cancers. Their mechanisms of cytotoxicity are unclear, but believed to be affected by ascorbate and particle size. However, their role is not clearly defined. Co-exposure with sodium arsenite (SA) is common, but its effect on HCC toxicity is unknown. Current therapy has side effects, necessitating the search for antidote from unexplored natural products such as Rauvolfia vomitora (RV). This study therefore investigates the effect of particle size and ascorbate on cytotoxity of selected HCC [lead chromate (PbCrO4), barium chromate (BaCrO4), strontium chromate (SrCrO4) and potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7)] in C3H10T1/2 cells and cytomodulatory effects of SA and RV in mice. The effect of ascorbate, dehydroascorbate and particle size on HCC cytotoxicity in C3H10T1/2 cells was determined by measuring survival fraction and yield of foci by microscopy. Actin and cellular ultrastructure disruption and induction of cell death were assessed by electron and fluorescent microscopy. The molecular mechanisms of cytotoxicity and transformation were evaluated in eighty-four cell death genes using real time (RT2) gene array, while cell cycle analysis was done by flow cytometry. Leaves of RV were air dried, powdered and extracted with methanol. Forty male mice (20-25g) were divided into 8 groups of 5 Swiss albino mice each and treated with water (control), RV (275 mg/Kg), SA (2.5 mg/kg), K2Cr2O7 (12 mg/Kg), SA + K2Cr2O7, RV + SA, RV + K2Cr2O7, RV + SA + K2Cr2O7. Rauvolfia vomitora was given orally for seven days, while K2Cr2O7 and SA were administered on day seven. Serum aspartate and alanine aminotransferases (AST and ALT), catalase, glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined by spectrophotometry. Micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (mPCEs) were evaluated by microscopy. Data were analysed using ANOVA and Student‟s t- test at p= 0.05. Survival fraction of control cells was 1.0, treatment with PbCrO4 and ≤ 12.5 μM ascorbate or ≤ 2 μM dehydroascorbate decreased it to 0.4. The 15-20 μM ascorbate and 3-4 μM dehydroascorbate reversed it to 0.7. Exposure of cells to small (≤ 3 μm) and large particles (≤ 8 μm) of PbCrO4, BaCrO4 and SrCrO4 resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in survival. The total foci were higher for PbCrO4 (3.8) with large particles and BaCrO4 (6.6) with small particles. Phagocytosis of particles was time-dependent. The HCC treatment led to G2/M and S phase arrest, anucleation, actin disruption and mixed cell death. Thirty-four cell death genes including Bax and Casp3 were up-regulated by 4 folds and six including Bcl-2 and Traf2 were down- regulated in treated cells. Twenty-one anti-apoptotic and autophagy genes including Atg5 and Bcl-2 were up-regulated in PbCrO4 transformed cells. The K2Cr2O7 and/ or SA significantly increased mPCEs, AST, ALT, catalase and MDA levels while glutathione and GST were reduced. The RV restored the markers towards normal values. Cytotoxicty of chromate compounds is particle size and ascorbate dependent. The cytotoxicity might be due to actin disruption, micronuclei induction and cell cycle arrest. Methanol extract of Rauvolfia vomitora modulated the toxicity in mice. Keywords: Hexavalent chromate compounds, Sodium arsenite, Rauvolfia vomitora, Cytotoxicity Word counts: 494Item Influence of Chloramphenicol and Amoxicillin on Rat Liver Microsomal Enzymes and Lipid Peroxidation(2014-09) Adesanoye, O. A.; Ifezue, A. O. C.; Farombi, E. O.Generation of reactive oxygen species beyond the antioxidant capacity of biological system has been reported to give rise to oxidative stress which through a series of events deregulates cellular functions, leading to oxidative damage and various pathological conditions. This study examined the effect of chloramphenicol and amoxicillin on liver microsomal enzymes Ca2+-ATPase and Glucose-6-Phosphatase (G-6-P) and lipid peroxidation in rats. Male Wistar strain rats weighing 120 – 195 g were divided into four groups. Group one, the control group, received physiological saline, group two received Amoxicillin at 10.71 mg/kg, group three received Chloramphenicol at 28.57 mg/kg, while group four was administered combination of chloramphenicol and amoxicillin. Drugs were administered for ten days and the animals sacrificed on the eleventh day. Detection of oxidation in liver microsomal fraction was carried out by assessment of lipid peroxidation and conjugated diene. Ca2+-ATPase and G-6-P activities and total protein content were also measured. Data were analysed by ANOVA and Student’s T-Test. Significant (p<0.05) decreases in G-6-P activity by 55.30%, 38.37%, 55.30% and Ca2+-ATPase activity by 38.99%, 30.16%, 26.88% were recorded with chloramphenicol, amoxicillin and chloramphenicol/amoxicillin treatments respectively when compared with the control group while total microsomal protein content was depleted by 70.50% 79.27%, 75.87% respectively. TBARS and Diene Conjugation were significantly (p<0.05) elevated in the treated groups. Findings from this study suggest that Chloramphenicol and Amoxicillin induced oxidative stress in rats and perturbed Ca2+ homeostasis presumably due to generation of free radicals.Item PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF AQUEOUS EXTRACTS OF AFRAMOMUM LONGISCAPUM SEED AGAINST SODIUM ARSENITE - INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY AND CLASTOGENICITY IN WISTAR RATS(2014-03) ANIFOWOSE, O. J.The use of medicinal plants has been found to be effective in the treatment of diseases such as cancer. Aframomum longiscapum seed has been used in the treatment of cancer in ethno medicine but has not been subjected to appropriate scientific evaluation. This study was therefore designed to evaluate the protective effect of Aqueous Extract of Aframomum longiscapum (AEAL) seed against sodium arsenite- and ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity and clastogenicity in male Wistar rats. Phytochemical composition of dried milled seeds of Aframomum longiscapum was evaluated using standard procedures. Twenty five male albino Wistar rats (150-250 g) were randomly divided into five groups of five rats each: Group I (control) - distilled water, Group II- sodium arsenite (2.5mg/kg), Group III - sodium arsenite (2.5mg/kg) in 3% ethanol (v/v), Group IV- AEAL (122.5 mg/kg), Group V- sodium arsenite (2.5mg/kg) in 3% ethanol + AEAL (122.5mg/kg body weight). After five weeks of treatment, hepatotoxicity was assessed using serum activities of Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Alanine amino Transferase (ALT), Gamma Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) and Aspartate amino Transferase (AST) by spectrophotometry. Clastogenicity was determined using bone marrow cytology to identify Micronucleated Polychromatic Erythrocytes (MnPCEs) by microscopy. Sperm counts, motility, viability and morphological abnormalities were estimated using microscopic techniques. Histology was carried out using Haematoxylin and Eosin. Data were analysed using Student’s t test at p = 0.05. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids and cardenolides. There were increased levels of liver enzymes on exposure to sodium arsenite compared with the control (ALP = 236.8 ± 15.2 vs 432.2 ± 41.4, ALT = 23.1 ± 5.9 vs 29.9 ± 2.8, GGT = 2.6 ± 1.9 vs 4.6 ± 1.6 and AST = 47.5 ± 9.2 vs 66.0 ± 15.6 U/L). The elevated levels of these enzymes were significantly reduced by about 2 folds in AEAL–treated rats compared with the sodium arsenite group (29.9 ± 2.8 vs 19.8 ± 3.1). The degree of reduction of MnPCEs was 2 folds in the treated-animals (15.4 ± 5.2 vs 26.5 ±2.1). The AEAL reversed the severe hepatic degeneration and necrosis induced by sodium arsenite and caused a significant decrease in sperm counts (126.1 ± 8.5 vs 85.5 ± 14.9) and motility (90.0 ± 10.0 vs 52.5 ± 15.0). However, there were significant increases in sperm viability (92.5 ± 3.5 vs 93.3 ± 4.0) and morphological abnormalities (10.1 ± 1.9 vs 13.4 ± 2.4). Aframomum longiscapum seed extract has protective effect against sodium-arsenite induced hepatotoxicity and clastogenicity in intoxicated rats. The extract however had deleterious side effects on male fertility in the treated rats. This plant extract should be administered with caution to human subjects given the provisional nature of these data.Item CYTOTOXICITY OF HEXAVALENT CHROMATE COMPOUNDS IN CH310T1/2 CELLS AND CYTOMODULATION BY SODIUM ARSENITE AND METHANOL EXTRACT OF Rauvolfia vomitora (Afzel) IN MICE.(2015-02) AKINWUMI, K. A.Exposure to certain hexavalent chromate compounds (HCC) causes lung and colon cancers. Their mechanisms of cytotoxicity are unclear, but believed to be affected by ascorbate and particle size. However, their role is not clearly defined. Co-exposure with sodium arsenite (SA) is common, but its effect on HCC toxicity is unknown. Current therapy has side effects, necessitating the search for antidote from unexplored natural products such as Rauvolfia vomitora (RV). This study therefore investigates the effect of particle size and ascorbate on cytotoxity of selected HCC [lead chromate (PbCrO4), barium chromate (BaCrO4), strontium chromate (SrCrO4) and potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7)] in C3H10T1/2 cells and cytomodulatory effects of SA and RV in mice. The effect of ascorbate, dehydroascorbate and particle size on HCC cytotoxicity in C3H10T1/2 cells was determined by measuring survival fraction and yield of foci by microscopy. Actin and cellular ultrastructure disruption and induction of cell death were assessed by electron and fluorescent microscopy. The molecular mechanisms of cytotoxicity and transformation were evaluated in eighty-four cell death genes using real time (RT2) gene array, while cell cycle analysis was done by flow cytometry. Leaves of RV were air dried, powdered and extracted with methanol. Forty male mice (20-25g) were divided into 8 groups of 5 Swiss albino mice each and treated with water (control), RV (275 mg/Kg), SA (2.5 mg/kg), K2Cr2O7 (12 mg/Kg), SA + K2Cr2O7, RV + SA, RV + K2Cr2O7, RV + SA + K2Cr2O7. Rauvolfia vomitora was given orally for seven days, while K2Cr2O7 and SA were administered on day seven. Serum aspartate and alanine aminotransferases (AST and ALT), catalase, glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined by spectrophotometry. Micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (mPCEs) were evaluated by microscopy. Data were analysed using ANOVA and Student’s t- test at p= 0.05. Survival fraction of control cells was 1.0, treatment with PbCrO4 and ≤ 12.5 µM ascorbate or ≤ 2 µM dehydroascorbate decreased it to 0.4. The 15-20 µM ascorbate and 3-4 µM dehydroascorbate reversed it to 0.7. Exposure of cells to small (≤ 3 µm) and large particles (≤ 8 µm) of PbCrO4, BaCrO4 and SrCrO4 resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in survival. The total foci were higher for PbCrO4 (3.8) with large particles and BaCrO4 (6.6) with small particles. Phagocytosis of particles was time-dependent. The HCC treatment led to G2/M and S phase arrest, anucleation, actin disruption and mixed cell death. Thirty-four cell death genes including Bax and Casp3 were up-regulated by 4 folds and six including Bcl-2 and Traf2 were down- regulated in treated cells. Twenty-one anti-apoptotic and autophagy genes including Atg5 and Bcl-2 were up-regulated in PbCrO4 transformed cells. The K2Cr2O7 and/ or SA significantly increased mPCEs, AST, ALT, catalase and MDA levels while glutathione and GST were reduced. The RV restored the markers towards normal values. Cytotoxicty of chromate compounds is particle size and ascorbate dependent. The cytotoxicity might be due to actin disruption, micronuclei induction and cell cycle arrest. Methanol extract of Rauvolfia vomitora modulated the toxicity in mice.Item PHENOTYPIC AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERISATION OF SOME AMARANTHUS ACCESSIONS AND HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF THEIR ETHANOL EXTRACT ON SODIUM ARSENITE-INDUCED TOXICITY IN MALE RATS(2013-06) AKIN-IDOWU, P. E.Amaranth is an underutilised crop with great potential as a source of essential nutrients. It also contains bioactive compounds with potential health benefits. However, its characterisation for agronomic and nutritional traits is limited. Likewise, information on its hepatoprotective potential is scarce. In this study Amaranthus accessions were characterised using phenotypic and molecular markers. The quality of its seed protein and hepatoprotective activity of its Ethanol Seed Extract (ESE) on sodium arsenite (NaAS)-induced toxicity in male rats were also investigated. Twenty-nine accessions (27 from the United States Agricultural Research Station and 2 from National Horticultural Research Institute, Ibadan) were characterised using 27 phenotypic traits and 16 Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers. Protein quality was assessed using Kjedahl method, amino acid analyzer and one-dimensional electrophoresis. The ESE of all accessions were analysed for phytochemical contents and antioxidant activities. Two out of the 29 accessions with the highest nutritional contents were used for hepatoprotective study. Experimental design consisted of two main groups (representing the two accessions), each consisting of eight treatment groups of 5 rats each. Treatment groups comprised of control, NaAS (2.5mg/kg body weight), amaranth seed extracts (100, 200, 300 mg/kg body weight) and NaAS plus amaranth seed extracts (100, 200, 300 mg/kg). After 14 days of treatment, serum Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Gamma Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) activities were assayed spectrophotometrically. Hepatic Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Catalase and Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx) activities were assayed likewise. Data were analysed using ANOVA and Cluster at p=0.05. For phenotypic traits, 57.5% variability was observed and accessions were grouped into five clusters. The RAPD analysis yielded 193 loci. Genetic similarity coefficient ranged from 0.6 to 0.9 while dendogram grouped accessions into nine clusters. Total protein contents ranged from 11.8 to 19.0%. Total essential amino acids ranged from 31.2 to 44.9% and were limited in tryptophan and leucine. Albumin, globulin and glutelin were the major protein fractions. Phytate, total flavonoid, total polyphenol, 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), total antioxidant and 2, 2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenz-thiazoline-6-sulfonate (ABTS) values ranged from 0.8-1.9%; 7.8-11.0mg/100g; 23.9-35.4mg/100g; 82.8-95.4%; 111.3-271.6%; 157.6-208.8mM Trolox Equivalent (TE), respectively. Accessions A23 (Amaranthus hypochondriacus, AHC) and A28 (Amaranthus hybridus, AHB) had higher protein and phytochemical contents than the other accessions. The activities of ALT (16.7±1.0U/L) and GGT (3.5±0.9U/L) in NaAS-treated group were significantly higher than control (ALT - 9.4±1.3U/L, GGT - 1.7±0.7U/L) and lower in groups treated with AHC plus NaAS (100mg/kg - 14.1±0.8U/L, 3.2±0.6U/L), (200mg/kg - 12.6±0.3U/L, 2.6±1.1U/L) and (300mg/kg - 9.2±0.2U/L, 1.7±0.7U/L). Activities of ALT and GGT were also lower in AHB plus NaAS treated groups (100mg/kg - 12.5±1.4U/L, 2.9±0.7U/L), (200mg/kg - 11.8±0.8U/L, 2.3±0.9U/L), and (300mg/kg - 8.6±2.7U/L, 1.8±0.6U/L) when compared with NaAS-treated group. Hepatic SOD, Catalase and GPx activities were significantly lower in NaAS-treated group when compared with control and groups administered different doses of the amaranth extracts. Amaranth accessions A23 (Amaranthus hypochondriacus) and A28 (Amaranthus hybridus) contained a good balance of essential amino acids and the ethanol extract showed dose-dependent hepatoprotective activity. The diverse clusters can be used as parents in hybridization programmes.