EFFECT OF MIXTURE OF LEAF EXTRACT OF Ocimum gratissimum AND Vernonia amygdalina ON CADMIUM INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN WISTAR RATS

The search for potential ameliorative substances for cadmium toxicity is still in progress, thus, this study investigated the invivo effect of oral administration of the leaf extract of Vernonia amygdalina (Bitter leaf) and Ocimum gratissimum (Scent leaf) on biochemical parameters; Alanine transaminase (ALT), Aspartate transaminase (AST), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Albumin, Total protein and oxidative stress biomarkers Malondialdehyde (MDA), Reduced glutathione (GSH), Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in the liver of cadmium exposed Wistar rats. A total of sixteen female rats weighing 120-150g were used and they were divided into four groups with four rats each. The experimental period was for four weeks. Group 1 served as control, Group 2 (Cadmium 10mg/kg body weight), Group 3 (Extract 200mg/kg per body weight). Group 4 (Cd 10mg/kg + Extract 200mg/kg body weight). The samples were administered orally by gastric intubation through the use of a cannula attached to a 1ml syringe. Blood and organ samples were collected and analyzed. Results obtained from administered groups were all compared to the control. Serum biochemical markers showed significant (P≤0.05) increase in the activities of AST, ALT, ALP, but there was no significant change in Total protein and Albumin when values were compared to the control (Group 1). Comparing Group 2 to Group 4 showed significant decrease in enzyme activities, but no significant change in the concentration of total protein and albumin. Oxidative stress markers showed significant increase (P<0.05) in concentration of MDA in the liver and significantly (P<0.05) decreased the activity of SOD and CAT and concentration of GSH in cadmium control (Group 2) when compared with the control (Group 1). Comparing Group 2 to the Group 4 (cadmium and extract) showed significant (P<0.05) increase in activity of SOD and CAT and concentration of GSH, while MDA had significant (P<0.05) decrease. The results showed that the leaf extract had some antioxidant and hepatoprotective potentials, which can help in ameliorating cadmium induced stress to the liver.