ABSTRACT
Dioscorea alata (purple yam) is a plant that has been found to be rich in nutrients and anti- nutrients. According to various studies, the plant have been found to be rich in medicinal properties.Tramadol is a synthetic opioid analgesic medication used to treat moderate or severe pain.The study was aimed to investigate the ameliorative properties of Dioscorea alata in the hepatic and renal tissues of albino wistar rat pre-treated tramadol. In the experiment, albino wistar rat (25) were divided into 5 groups (control, negative, positive, counter groups). parameters such as liver (AST, ASP, ALP, TB, CB, TP, albumin and globulin) and kidney( Urea, sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, chloride, creatinine) biomarkers and histopathological changes were assessed.The data generated was analyzed using statistical software SPSS version 20 ( statistical package for social sciences). In comparison between the various groups, there was staistical significant difference at p<0.05 of the biomarkers. From my findings, there was an elevation of AST value in group 2 (32.00 ± 0.82) which could indicate liver cirrhosis, 4 and 5 (32.50 ± 0.25 - 34.50 ± 0.25 ) shows that D.alata treatment may have been able to execute an ameliorative effect on AST value caused by tramadol exposure and bilirubin value which is as a result of the dosage of tramadol. There was a significant increase in potassium value of group 4 and 5 ( 4.950 ± 0.10 - 4.900 ± 0.04 ) compared to group 1 (4.300 ± 0.23) which may have resulted from the usage of Dioscorea alata and could lead to Hyperkalemia. In histological findings, group 1 which serve as control group and reveal normal hepatic and renal tissue, while in group 2 which was the negative group had inflammation in the hepatic and renal tissues. However group 3, 4 and 5 had a reduced or no effect on the hepatic and renal tissue due to the hepaprotective, antioxidant and nephroprotective effect of Dioscorea alata on the tissues. In conclusion, the study suggest that Dioscorea alata has a protective properties against the hepatic and renal toxicity induced by tramadol in albino wistar rat. Further research should be done to get a better understanding on the mechanism of action in D. alata against opioid drugs.
