Protective Role of Whole and Anthocyanin-free Aqueous Extracts of Hibiscus Sabdariffa L. on Cadmium-induced Prostate, Testicular and Nephro Toxicity Markers in Male Wistar Rats.
E. A. Fadairo¹*, G. J. Birma¹, F. O. Obi², A. O. Opajobi³ and I. Onyesom³¹Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun (Warri).
²Department of Biochemistry, University of Benin, Benin-City (Nigeria).
³Department of Medical Biochemistry, Delta State University, Abraka (Nigeria).
Corresponding Author E-mail: ekakpan10@yahoo.com
Abstract: Cadmium is one of the extremely toxic metals commonly found in industrial work places with very low permissible exposure limit (PEL). Exposure to cadmium has been associated with organ toxicity which can culminate in cancer of the prostate and testis. Cadmium elicits its toxicity via free radical generation and associated oxidative damage. Some plant extracts are known to contain anti-oxidant pigments. The influence of whole and anthocyanin free aqueous extracts of Hibiscus sabdariffa , L. on cadmium- induced prostate, testicular and nephro toxicity in male wistar rats was studied using a combination of organ: body weight ratio, total and prostatic acid phosphatase activity, organ superoxide dismutase activity, catalase activity, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Cadmium treated rats had significantly ( P< 0.05)increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels but decreased prostate / testis:body weight ratio, when compared with the control values. The groups treated with Hibiscus Sabdariffa, L whole aqueous extract prior to cadmium exposure had low malondialdehyde levels but increased prostate/ testis:body weight ratio when compared with rats in cadmium treated group and control. The group of rats that received the Hibiscus sabdariffa anthocyanin –free extract also had low malondialdehyde levels but increased organ body weight ratio when compared with rats in the cadmium only treated and control groups. Prior administration of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. whole and anthocyanin free extracts reduced testicular toxicity caused by cadmium exposure
Keywords: Hibiscus sabdariffa; L.; Cadmium; Acid phosphatase; Catalase; Superoxide dismutase (SOD) Back to TOC