ABSTRACT
Talinum triangulare (waterleaf in English, dicotyledonous, family Portulaceae) is commonly consumed as vegetables in Nigeria. It has varying medicinal properties while numerous investigations are geared towards the leaf but the stem portion remains unattended to as far as we know. This study therefore was to investigate hepato and reno-protective properties of the stem of T. triangulare against acetaminophen toxicity in rats. Plant sample was identified and authenticated prior to preparation while plant extract was conducted by mechanical agitations with GFL shaker, filtered through filter paper, while filtrate was evaporated by Vacuum Rotary Evaporator before being concentrated using Bucchi Rotavapor.All rats were treated orally by oral intubation for 40 days at two days interval while group A were untreated. Group B served as negative control and received 500 mg/kg b.w. T. trangulare L. extract alone for 40 days. Group C served as positive control and administered 500 mg/kg b.w. of acetaminophen mainly. Group D received T. trangulare L. (500 mg/kg b.w.) for 20 days and acetaminophen (500 mg/kg b.w.) afterwards for the remaining 20days. Group E initially received 500 mg/kg b.w. of acetaminophen for 20 days followed by 500 mg/kg b.w. extract of T. trangulare L. for the 20 days left. Group F received a mixture of 500 mg/kg b.w. of extract and 500 mg/kg b.w. acetaminophen in equal proportion for 40 days. Twenty-four in-bred Albino rats of both sexes and about 12-19weeks old, weighing 188-202 g were grouped and labeled (n=4; A to F). They were housed in a sanitized facility, wired with gauzes and bedded with saw dust and allowed to adapt for 14days in a controlled environment (25 ± 5ºC); relative humidity (45± 5%) and illuminated schedule of 12 hours’ light/12hours dark cycle. Pelletized feeds® and water were adequately supplied when needed. On the 41st day, all animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. Four (4) ml of blood was collected through cardiac puncture into a sterile 5 ml plain container for biochemistry (kidney and liver function test). Kidney and liver were excised, washed in normal saline, grossed and preserved in 10% neutral buffered formalin for histology. Sections were obtained at 5um, stained with H&E and examined with the Swift Binocular microscope. Results showed that behavioural signs of acute toxicity and marked weight reduction were seen in group C while group A and B increased. All parameters (K, Na, CL, HC03, urea and creatinine) for renal profile were within normal range. They were significantly expressed (P ≤ 0.003) across all groups except group C where abnormal values were obtained. On the other hand, parameters for liver function test (TB, CB, TP, ALB, AST, ALT and ALP) were normal and significant across board (P ≤ 0.05) while values in Group C were out of range.Histopathology revealed varying degrees of deleterious effects in group C, while F was slightly affected. Other results are in keeping with normal histology of the liver and kidney respectively. This study concludes that T. triangulare aqueous stem extract is relatively fit for consumption without exerting renal and hepatic toxicity. It has strong reno and hepato protective potentials against acetaminophen intoxication. It further suggests that the extract has reduced potentiality in overriding acetaminophen injuries. It therefore acts as a protective rather than an ameliorative agent.
