ABSTRACT
Cadmium is a widespread toxic pollutant of occupational and environmental concern because of its diverse toxic effects: extremely protracted biological half-life (approximately 20–30 years in humans), low rate of excretion from the body and storage predominantly in soft tissues (primarily, liver and kidneys). The present study was undertaken to investigate the ameliorative potential of aqueous methanol extract of A. Muricata on selected plasma parameters (total and direct bilirubin, albumin, cholesterol and total protein) in cadmium- exposed male rats. In this study, twenty-eight (40) male rats were randomized into five groups, with eight rats each. Group I served as the control and was provided nomal saline. Groups II served as the cadmium control and was subcutaneously administered cadmium only, while in Groups III, IV and V, 100, 300 and 500 mg/kg body weight of aqueous methanolic leaf extract of Annona Muricata were administered, respectively, via oral administration. In this study, the subcutaneous administration of Cd and the oral administration of various doses of aqueous methanol leave extractof A. muricata in the experimental subject, was observed to bring about significant (p < 0.05) elevation in liver biochemical parameters such as; Albumin, Total protein. There was also observed elevation in Cholesterol and direct bilirubin level in treated groups. Bilirubin is an indicator of liver disease, which can be attributed to damage of hepatocytes and hepatic biliary tract obstruction and in this study, direct bilirubin increased in the plasma of rats of Cd treatment group. In this study, the plant extract was not able to reduce direct bilirubin to normal. However, there was no significant change in total protein in both treatment and control groups. Liver histology reveal chronic inflammation and infiltration of the hepatic cells resulting in hepatotoxicity. However, the administration of aqueous methanol leave extract of A. muricata fail to restore these parameters to normal level in this study. Furthermore, the leave extract of A. muricata was able to maintain plasma total bilirubin to normal in Cd-exposed male rats.
