The effects of chronic exposure to cadmium (Cd) on some selected biochemical parameters, as well as the possible protective role of aqueous extracts of Hibiscus sabdariffa L petal were studied in 12-wk-old male Wistar albino rats. Exposure to Cd caused a significant increase in plasma Lalanine aminotransferases (ALT) only but with a corresponding decrease in liver L-alanine and L-aspartate aminotransferases (L-ALT, L-AST) when compared to the Cd-free control. Total superoxide dismutase activity was decreased in the liver, testis, and prostate of Cd-exposed rats, whereas malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations were increased relative to the Cd-free control. The metal significantly increased prostatic acid phosphatase activity in the prostate, but decreased the body weight gain of the rats and organ/body weight ratio for prostate and testis compared to the Cd-free control. Pretreatment of rats with aqueous extract of H. sabdariffa resulted in significantly less hepatotoxicity than with Cd alone as measured by plasma ALT and liver ALT and AST activities. The extract also protected the rats against Cd-induced liver, prostate, and testis lipoperoxidation as evidenced by significantly reduced MDA values in these organs, as well as reduced prostatic acid phosphatase activity in the prostate, when compared to the Cd-only exposed rats. Also, when compared to the organ/body weight ratios obtained from rats exposed to Cd alone the prostate and testis were protected by the extract as shown by enhanced prostate/body weight and testis/body weight ratios of Cd- and extract-treated rats. These data suggest that H. sabdarrifa L might be protective in Cd toxicity.

Background: This study was conducted in order to elucidate the effects of cyanide (CN −) as sodium cyanide on oxidative parameters in the tissues of birds (Gallus domesticus L.) exposed to CN − directly by gavage and indirectly through their feed. Results: Lipid peroxidation (LPO) level and activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were determined in the kidney, liver, heart, and brain of the (CN −) exposed birds. LPO was significantly (p < 0.05) increased in a dose-dependent manner in all the tissues of birds exposed to CN − directly and indirectly (feed), while CAT and SOD activities were concomitantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner regardless of the mode of exposure. However, it is noteworthy that the effect of CN − was more pronounced in the tissues of birds administered (CN −) directly. Conclusions: The study reveals that direct and indirect exposure of birds to CN − by gavage and food respectively induced oxidative stress. These findings were corroborated by the histopathological changes in the liver, kidney, and brain.

At present there is no approved food antidote for cyanide poisoning. Therefore, plants are being tested as possible antidotes for cyanide (CN) toxicity. This study aimed to evaluate the possible protective role of the ethanolic extract of Tetrapleura tetraptera (T. tetraptera) against cyanide nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity in male rats. Forty five male albino rats divided into nine groups were used for the experiment: Group 1 received water only, Group 2 received CN only, Group 3 received CN + thiosulphate, Groups 4, 5 and 6 received 100, 250 and 500 mg/kg T tetraptera extract, respectively. Groups 7, 8 and 9 received CN in addition to 100, 250 and 500 mg/kg T tetraptera, respectively. The results showed elevated levels of lipid peroxidation, aminoaspartate transferase, alanine amino transferase, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine, and urea in the serum and tissues of cyanide treated rats.  Significant decreases in superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were also observed in the liver and kidney of cyanide treated rats. Histological analysis showed CN- induced structural distortions of the liver and kidney tissues. However treatment with T. tetraptera fruit extract was able to mitigate these damages. This study indicates that T. tetraptera fruit extract possesses hepato-and-nephro-protective properties and can be used as an antidote for cyanide poisoning.

The present study aims to assess the effects of the two kinds of farmyard manure (poultry and pig manures) as amendments for soil on cadmium (Cd) toxicity in plants using cowpea seedlings as plant model. Cd toxicity was evaluated by assessing the effect of the metal on the growth rate and antioxidant status as well as the ability of the plant to metabolise xenobiotic. There was a significantly (p < 0.05) increased concentration of Cd in the root, stem and leaves of cowpea seedlings grown in all the treated soils relative to control. Addition of poultry manure to the soil significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the level of Cd in these component parts of the seedlings and their corresponding bioaccumulation factor in a dose-dependent manner as compared with treatments with Cd pollution without manure addition and Cd pollution with pig manure addition. There was restoration of Cd-induced effect on growth rate parameters to levels comparable to controls in cowpea seedlings grown in Cd-treated soil augmented with poultry manure but not in cowpea seedlings in cadmium-treated soil with pig manure amendments. Similarly, augmentation of Cd-treated soil with pig manure did not alter the Cd-induced effect on the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) in leaf, stem and roots, as SOD remained significantly (p < 0.05) decreased and LPO increased relative to control. On the other hand, the levels of SOD and LPO in these parts of cowpea seedlings grown in Cd-treated soils amended with poultry manure were restored to a level not significantly (p > 0.05) different from control. Like in the case of SOD, the Cd-induced inhibition of the activity of xenobiotic metabolising enzymes, aldehyde oxidase and sulphite oxidase remained significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in the organs of seedling grown in Cd-treated soil amended with pig manure. Conversely, the Cd-induced effect on the activities of these enzymes was reversed in the organs of seedlings exposed to Cd and poultry manure as it was not significantly (p > 0.05) different from control. In conclusion, the findings of the study revealed that supplementation of Cd-treated soils with pig and poultry manures reversed effects of Cd on cowpea seedlings. However, poultry manure was more effective than pig manure in ameliorating the effects of Cd.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM), also known as diabetes, involves a group of metabolic disorders in which blood sugar levels are high over a prolonged period. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of 21 days administration of 100 and 200 mg per kg bodyweight of ethanolic extract of Chrysophyllum albidum (African star apple) fruit-skin on streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic Wistar albino rats. A randomized control trial was used. Diabetic state of test rats was induced with streptozotocin at a dose of 60 mg streptozotocin/kg body using saline (0.9% w/v NaCl) as vehicle. Upon confirmation of diabetic state, crude ethanolic extract of C. albidum was dissolved in citrate buffer at pH 4.2 before administration to the rats at specific doses. Results: Results show a significant (p < 0.05) decreased in the level of plasma creatinine and insulin but increased level of glucose in diabetic rats relative to control. Induction of diabetes significantly increased the activities of alanine aminotransferases and aspartate aminotransferases in the liver and kidney and activities of both enzymes were also correspondingly increased in the plasma. There was significant increase in the level of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and triglyceride, but decreased highdensity lipoprotein-cholesterol in the test rats. Results also show alterations in the antioxidant status of experimental rats. The diabetic-induced changes were reversed in diabetic rats upon administration of C. albidum extract at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight to levels comparable with control. Conclusion: The findings obtained revealed that ethanolic extract of C. albidum fruit-skin at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight reversed the effect of diabetes due to its antihyperglycemic, anti-hyperlipidemic and antioxidant properties. The antidiabetic effect of the extract may be due to its abundant flavonoid and alkaloid contents.