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ABSTRACT
Cadmium (Cd), is a heavy metal, that is harmful to human health, as it can damage several organs in the body, the liver inclusive. Mining operations and the use of cadmium-containing fertilizer on farmland release cadmium into the soil and enhance its uptake by crops which are germinated for human consumption. One can also be exposed to cadmium through smoking. In this study aimed at determining the hepatotoxic effect of cadmium in rats and possible amelioration by aqueous extract of Cyperus esculentus, 3 mg/kg body weight of cadmium was used to induce toxicity in thirty-five male rats that make up five (5) groups, each carrying seven (7) animals. Rats were acclimatized for a week before being induced and exposed to a twenty-eight (28) day treatment regimen. All rats received food and water during this period. The control group (1) received only normal saline. All other groups except group 3 were induced with 3 mg/kg body weight of cadmium on the first day of treatment only. Rats in group 2 received 3 mg/kg body weight of cadmium only. Rats in group 3 were administered 4 mL/kg body weight of aqueous extract of Cyperus esculentus only. Other groups (4 and 5) received 3 mg/kg body weight of cadmium and were treated with selected doses (2 mL/kg b.wt and 4 mL/kg b.wt) of aqueous extract of Cyperus esculentus. At the end of 28 days, animals were anesthetized using chloroform and sacrificed, followed by the collection of necessary components for gross examination. Serum liver transaminases (ALT and AST) and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were assayed using the serum obtained. Results obtained show that 3 mg/kg body weight cadmium rapidly caused liver inflammation or damage that led to an increase in the activity of liver ALT, AST and ALP in the serum. The control group which received only normal saline gave less enzyme activity when compared with the group 2 which received cadmium only. The rats in group 2 which received cadmium only has the highest enzyme activity. The treated groups also showed a significant increase in enzyme activity but following the administration of the selected doses of the aqueous extract, enzyme activity was decreased across all other rat groups. In summary, the aqueous extract of Cyperus esculentus can ameliorate hepatotoxic effect of cadmium.
