Ameliorating Effect of Methanol Extract of Finger Root Bark (Uvariachamae) on some Selected Biochemical Parameters of Cdcl2 Induced Toxicity in Wistar Rats

Background: High cadmium-induced injuries have necessitated the search for potent and cost-effective herbal management models. Hence, this study aimed at evaluating the ameliorating effect of methanol extract of finger root bark (Uvaria chamae) on some selected biochemical parameters of cadmium-induced toxicity in Wistar rats.

Methods: Thirty (30) Male rats weighing 84- 183 grams were obtained and kept in the animal house to acclimatize for eight (8) days prior to the experiment. The rats were grouped into five groups containing six rats each. Group 1 served as normal control; group 2 served as the negative control treated with 10mg/kg bw CdCl2; group 3 contained rats fed with 500mg/kg bw plant extract; Group 4-5 contained cadmium-intoxicated rats treated with Uvaria chamae (250mg/kg body weight and 250mg/kg body weight) respectively for 13 days. Thereafter, the rats were sacrificed, and blood samples were collected through the ocular puncture for biochemical analysis. Activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), as well as lipid profiles were assessed. Tissue antioxidant levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), and activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) were also determined.

Result: CdCl2 caused a significant derangement in lipid profile, increasing serum triglyceride, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) while high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level was diminished. Liver biomarkers (ALT, AST, ALP) were also significantly elevated in the serum relative to the control animals following exposure to CdCl2. Activities of antioxidant enzymes in the serum were markedly inhibited by CdCl2 exposure. Treatment with Uvaria chamae extract caused a dose-dependent restoration of all biochemical parameters determined.