In Vitro Action of Tramadol on Biochemical Enzymes in Human Erythrocytes

International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VI, Issue VI, June 2019 | ISSN 2321–2705

In Vitro Action of Tramadol on Biochemical Enzymes in Human Erythrocytes

Ogbomade, R. S.¹, Asara, A.A.², Eboh, A.S.³

 ¹Department of Science Foundation, Bayelsa State College of Health Technology, Otuogidi, Nigeria
^2,3Molecular/Medicinal Phytochemistry Unit, Biochemistry Department, Niger Delta University, Nigeria

Abstract: – In this study the in vitro effect of tramadol on the activity of the erythrocyte enzymes AST and ALT, Superoxide Dismutase and Catalase were evaluated. Blood was collected from healthy volunteers and erythrocytes were prepared according to standard procedures and treated with varying concentrations of tramadol (0-0.7mg/ml) and the AST, ALT, CAT and SOD activities were determined by Randox standard kits. Results obtained from the study revealed that administration of tramadol in our study significantly increases the levels of AST and ALT. there was a non-significant difference in the activities of ALT and AST (p<0.05) at 0.1 mg/ml but there was a significant difference at 0.3 mg/ml, 0.5 mg/ml and 0.7 mg/ml as compared with the control. The activity of SOD in the absence of tramadol was 6.73 ± 0.01. In the presence of tramadol the activity of SOD decreases in a dose dependent manner. The decrease is non-significant (p> 0.05) at 0.1 mg/ml and 0.3 mg/ml as compared with the control. This decrease in the activity of SOD could be due to two reasons; Tramadol inhibited the activity of SOD or that at higher concentration tramadol acts as a pro-oxidant producing more free radicals. There are significant decrease of SOD activity at 0.5 and 0.7 (p<0.05) as compared with the control. Tramadol may be recommended to patients with severe pain on prescription but not to be abused because of the side effects associated with an over-dose of the intake of this drug.

I. INTRODUCTION

The adverse effects associated with drugs used in clinics constitute a serious problem for patients and health care providers (Assis and Nevarro, 2009). It has been estimated that about 10% of drugs are associated with severe, undesirable side effects (Hussaini and Farrington, 2007). However, this number is probably underestimated, given that drug-induced adverse effects are difficult to detect due to pre-existing medical conditions, multiple drug usage, and lack of diagnostic standards (Assis and Nevarro, 2009).

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