Ficus platyphylla is one of the common medicinal plants used in the management of pains, inflammation, and cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ameliorative effects of F. platyphylla leaf extracts in oxidative damage induced by potassium bromate in Wistar albino rats. Rats were allotted into five groups, namely normal control, negative control, standard drug (quercetin at 10 mg/kg body weight), and extract-treated (200 and 300 mg/kg body weight). Groups 2 to 5 were orally administered potassium bromate (KBrO₃) at 100 mg/kg body weight for 14 days. The animals were sacrificed, and blood was collected for haematological, liver, and kidney function assays. The supernatant of the collected liver tissues was used for antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation assays, while fixed portions of the liver were used for histopathological analysis. Results revealed a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the haematological parameters of RBC, WBC, HGB, HCT, MCH, LYM, and PLT in the standard and treatment groups when compared to the negative control (bromate group). The levels of AST and ALT were significantly different (p < 0.05) when compared to the standard and negative control. However, there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the serum total proteins when compared to the negative control. Sodium, potassium, and creatinine levels differed significantly with the bromate group. The levels of SOD and catalase were significantly increased in the normal. Standard and extract treated groups when compared to the bromate treated group. Histopathological analysis revealed an amelioration of the damaged liver cells by the extract-treated groups as well as the standard (quercetin) treated groups. The leaf extract of F. platyphylla may have offered protection against the oxidative damage incurred by the potassium bromate treatment.
Key words: Potassium Bromate, Ficus platyphylla, Quercetine, oxidative damage, Antioxidants.
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