Background Dennentia tripetalla (Pepper Fruit) belongs to the Annonaceae family and is abundant in Nigeria. Its fruit in folklore medicine is used for treatment of varying ailments. While ample research evidence exists on the plants fruit and seed, no current study exists on the toxicological profile of the plant leaves. Methods qualitative and quantitative phytochemicals and In vitro antioxidant assays were carried out using standard methods. The acute toxicity study indicates that the LD50 was higher than 2000 mg/Kg body weight. Sub-chronic toxicity studies was carried out using five groups of rats. Group 1 served as control, 2–5 received 100 mg/Kg, 200 mg/Kg, 500 mg/Kg and 1000 mg/Kg body weight orally for 28 days. Results Post-administration biochemical analysis indicates there was increased weight in rats administered 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg while it reduced in the 500 mg/kg group. Significant elevations of liver function markers were reported for 200 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg respectively. Serum and hepatic protein profiles remained unaltered. Renal function analysis revealed elevated serum urea and creatinine for 200 and 500 mg/kg groups, elevated serum Na+ and Ca+ and reduced serum Cl− for the 500 mg/Kg group. Elevated Kidney K+ and Ca+ levels, reduced Cl− were significantly observed in 500 mg/Kg group. Significant rise in hepatic and renal lipid peroxidation was observed in 200 and 500 mg/Kg groups. There were observed disarmament of the antioxidant defense systems occasioned by rise and drop in tissue (hepatic, renal, testes, heart) Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (Cat), Glutathione-s-transferase (GST), Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities in the test groups relative to control. Histopathological examination indicated architectural aberrations at 500 and 1000 mg/kg. Conclusions It concluded that the plant had significant phytochemical and antioxidant properties of medical interest and possessed toxic properties in rats when administered at a dose above 200 mg/Kg over a prolonged period of time.

Impairing the toxic effects of cadmium (Cd) by diet induced antioxidant defence systems is an innovative approach to managing cadmium poisoning. The present study investigated the ability of crude palm oil (Elaeis guinensis) and its fractions to prevent the induction of aldehyde and sulphite oxidative enzymes in acute cadmium intoxicated male rats. The study comprised of six groups, which had group A as control, B as cadium group and C-F as test groups. Group A received No Cadmium and no Palm oil fraction, Group B received 20mgCd/Kg body weight, Groups C-F received 5ml/Kg body weight of appropriate palm oil fraction namely crude palm oil (CPO), Silica Gel Extract (SGE), Bleached Palm oil and unsaponifiable extract for 28 days prior to a single dose of cadmium in form of cadmium chloride on day 29 (20mgCd/Kg body weight). Rats were sacrificed 12h, 24h and 48h post-cadmium administration and the activities of aldehyde oxidase (AO) and sulphite oxidase (SO) were determined. Results obtained indicate a significant rise in AO and SO activities in the liver, kidney, heart, muscle tissues and serum between 12-48 hours following Cd administration compared to control. Administration of palm oil extracts caused significant reduction (p<0.05) in AO and SO activities. Results indicate that acute Cd administration induces the expression of oxidative enzyme within 12 hours but pre-treatment of rats with palm oil and its fractions reduces their expression.