Protective Effect of Garcinia kola Seed and Honey Mixture against Cadmium-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Wistar Albino Rats

Abstract: Traditional African herbs, plants and fluid have been reported to exhibit therapeutic, curative and protective effect against sicknesses, diseases and even poisonous agents. In this study, Garcinia kola seed (GKS), Honey or a mixture of both were investigated for protective action against Cadmium-induced Hepatotoxicity in wistar albino rats. Different groups of the animals were fed GKS (of different dose regimen of 50mg/100g body weight and 100mg/100g body weight), honey or a mixture of both (of dose concentration of 50mg/100g body weight) for 14 days and then co-administered orally with cadmium acetate from the 14h to 21st day. Liver cell injury was assessed by the determination of plasma total and conjugated Bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine amino transaminase (ALT) and gamma Glutamyl transferase (GGT). Histological studies on the Liver was done for 3 rats in each group using Haematoxylin and eosin stain (H and E stain), and their pictographs (x 400 magnification) was reported. Results obtained showed that administration of cadmium acetate alone caused a significant increase (p< 0.05) in plasma activities of the liver enzymes (AST, ALT and GGT) and total bilirubin concentration. These show that cadmium is a very poisonous and toxic Heavy metal. The histological findings in the liver showed a clear distortion and cell damage. GKS, Honey or a mixture of both were found to exhibit protective characteristics against cadmium- induced liver cell injury as evidenced by the ability of each test material to mitigate the increase in plasma activities of liver enzymes and total bilirubin concentration for the liver function markers. These findings were consistent with the results of the histological studies of the Liver from GKS and Honey fed rats.

Keywords: Garcinia kola Seed Aspartate transaminase Alanine transaminase Gamma Glutamyl transferase, Cadmium

Edition: Volume 5 Issue 5, May 2016,

Pages: 356 - 363