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Background:The search for potential ameliorators of Cd-toxicity is still on due to the many toxic effects of Cd including testicular damage. Purpose: Thus the present study was designed to investigate the protective effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa L anthocyanins (HSA) on cadmium-induced testicular damage in wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty four adult male wistar rats (185±5.2g) were randomly divided into four groups and where treated for 15 days: A: control, B: Cd alone, 3 mg/kg b wt, C: HSA alone, 3 mg/kg b wt, Group 4: HSA Pre-CD: HSA (3g/ kg b wt for ten consecutive days) and Cd (3 mg/ kg b wt) for five days. Results: Exposure to Cd caused significant (p<0.05) reduction in weight of testes compared to rats in the control group and those maintained on HSA alone. Exposure to Cd also caused significant reduction in activities of CAT and SOD and in the level of GSH in the testes accompanying increase in lipid peroxidation. However, pre-treatment of Cd-exposed rats with HSA resulted in amelioration Original Research Article

Aim: This study was aimed at examing the effect of mixture of Ocimum gratissimum extract and Vernonia amygdalina extract on lipid profile and hematological parameters of Wistar rats administered with cadmium. Methodology: Sixteen female rats were divided into four groups and designated as follows: Group 1-Control (Normal Saline,) Group 2-(Cadmium 10mg/kg bwt), Group 3 (Normal saline, leaf extract 200kg/kg bwt) Group 4 (Cadmium 10mg/kg bwt and leaf extract 200kg/kg bwt) and were treated for 28 days (4 weeks). Results: Exposure of rats to Cadmium alone (Group B) brought about significant increase in levels of Cholesterol, TAG and LDL with a decrease in HDL compared to control and rats maintained on plant extract alone (Group 3). However, treatment of Cd-exposed rats with mixture of the plant extracts (Group 4) significantly reduced Cholesterol, TAG and LDL with an increase in HDL compared to rats maintained on Cd alone (Group 2). The PCV and RBC of the rats administered with the cadmium showed a significant reduction when compared to the control group, whereas the WBC increased significantly (p< 0.05). The group administered with the leaf extract and a combination of the leaf extract and cadmium recorded an increased in the (PCV), (RBC) level of the Wistar rat and a reduction in the (WBC) level when compared to the group administered with cadmium. Conclusion: The findings of this study demonstrate that mixture of Ocimum gratissimum and Vernonia amygdalina extracts have lipid lowering properties that may be advantageous to those with the problem of cadmium toxicity. The extracts were also found to be efficient in decreasing cholesterol, triacylglyceride, and low density lipoprotein levels, indicating that they have hypocholesterolaemic properties.

This study investigated the effects of Aspergillus niger CSA35 pretreated-cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) peel feed (CPFG) on the body weight gain and some selected biochemical parameters of pigs. Cassava peels treated with biomass of A. niger CSA35 for a period of three weeks to initiate enzymatic digestion of peels were dried, ground and used in varying proportions to formulate pig rations in combination with other feed ingredients. Twenty 85-95 days old pigs (5.85 ± 0.70 kg) were randomly divided into four experimental groups. Group 1 received 0% CPFG amidst other feed ingredients (control), while Groups 2, 3 and 4 received 40%, 60% and 100% CPFG respectively. At the end of the feeding trial (21 days), the animals were weighed and blood samples collected for biochemical analysis. Results showed that increasing the amount of the fungus-pretreated cassava peels in pig rations increased the protein, fat and carbohydrate contents of the experimental feeds. Conversely, the percentage fibre content was reduced. The weight gain of pigs fed the control diet was significantly (p<0.05) lower than those fed with 60% CPFG and 100% CPFG but did not differ from those fed 40% CPFG. Serum calcium and albumin levels were observed to be significantly lower (p<0.05) in control group than in treatment groups. The highest serum calcium level was, however, observed in 100% CPFG group. Activities of liver function enzymes and serum creatinine level of pigs fed the formulated diets did not significantly differ from those of control unlike their serum urea levels. It was concluded that pig feeds formulated with cassava peels pretreated with A. niger CSA35 enhanced feed's nutritive value and metabolisable energy, boosted serum albumin and calcium levels in pigs, increased pigs body weight and are health-friendly since the feeds did not pose threat of liver damage in the pigs investigated.

It has been shown that herbal extracts can protect intoxicated hepatocytes. Therefore, this study examined the hepato-protective effects of pooled ethanolic extract of Psidium guajava and Carica papaya leaves in rats challenged with Cadmium (Cd). Exactly 200g of the grounded leaves were soaked in ethanol for 48hours and was concentrated after filtration using a rotary evaporator. Fifteen adult female rats (150¬-±10g) were randomly assigned into three groups: Group 1 (control: received feed and water alone), Group 2 (Cd group; received single dose of Cd, 30mg/kg b wt, Group 3 (Cd + extract: received Cd as in group 2 and leaf extract 200mg/ kg bwt daily for 2 weeks). Rats were slaughtered and samples were taken for biochemical examination at the conclusion of the study period. When compared to controls, exposure to Cd alone resulted in a significant increase (p<0.05) in the activities of the alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), as well as an increase in the level of total protein (TP). Hepatocytes exposed to cd underwent histological changes as well. As opposed to rats exposed to Cd alone, there was a significant decrease in the values of ALT, AST, ALP, LDH, and TP when Cd-challenged rats were given the combination ethanolic extract of P. guajava and C. papaya. The outcomes suggest that the biherbal combination of P. guajava and C. papaya can shield liver cells against Cd damage.