Effects of Aqueous Extract of Cyperus esculentus (Tiger Nut) on Antioxidant Status and Hematological Indices in the Heart of Cadmium-Induced Wistar Rats

Abstract

Background: In recent times, medicinal plants has been explored for their ameliorating effect on Cadmium induced organ toxicity in Wistar rats. Aims and Objectives: This study investigates the protective effects of aqueous extract of Cyperus esculentus (tiger nut) on cadmium-induced biochemical and histological alterations in heart of rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty male wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups (A-F). Blood samples were collected from the animals after treatment with cadmium (10mg/kg body weight) and varying doses (150, 300, 600mg/kg B.W) of aqueous extract of Cyperus esculentus for 60 days for evaluation of antioxidant status and hematological parameters. Sections of the heart and aorta were examined for histological alterations. Results: Treatment with extract of Cyperus esculentus resulted in a significant increase (P<0.05) in superoxide dismutase, catalase and gluthathione peroxidase activities and a significant reduction in malondialdehyde level when compared to the untreated animals. However, the alterations observed in the hematological parameters were not improved on treatment with Cyperus esculentus. Conclusion: Treatment with medium (300mg/kg B.W) and high (600mg/kg B.W) of Cyperus esculentus reversed the histological alterations observed in the heart and aorta of the untreated animals. The study demonstrated that aqueous extract of Cyperus esculentus can protect against oxidative stress resulting from cadmium toxicity.

Assessment of Oxidative Stress Indices in Tissues of Cadmium-challenged Female Wistar Rats Treated with Combined Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Manihot esculenta and Citrus sinensis

“…The significant increase in lipid peroxidation and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in Cd-challenged rats compared to control and significant decrease in glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in both the liver and kidey, recorded in this study is a clear indication of the Cd-induced oxidative stress. This finding agrees with the confirmed ability of Cd to induce oxidative stress in the rat tissues (Mona et al, 2018, Orororo et al, 2018bApiamu et al, 2019;Jacopo et al, 2020;Innih et al, 2021;Renuka et al, 2021;Poli et al, 2022). Cd, unlike other heavy metals is unable to generate free radicals by itself, however, according to Galan et al (2001), it can generate hydroxyl radical, superoxide radical, and nitric oxide radicals indirectly.…”

“…Due to the fact that Cd possesses extremely low tolerable exposure limit and a lengthy natural half-life, it bio-accumulates in humans and animal where it brings about severe damage to the liver, kidneys and other organs, tissues and cells mainly through the induction of oxidative stress (Goyer, 1997;Jacopo et al, 2020). It has been reported that Cd drains glutathione (an endogenous antioxidant molecule), restrain electron transport process in the mitochondrial, dislodge Zinc and other redox-active metals, and incapacitate antioxidant enzymes which results in enhanced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) (Mona et al, 2018, Orororo et al, 2018Geng et al, 2019;Apiamu et al, 2019;Innih et al, 2021;Poli et al, 2022). Current research in Cd toxicity focuses on finding antioxidants that can treat Cd intoxication in biological systems, with emphasis on the antioxidant potentials of various plant extracts, which contain carotenoids, flavonoids, and other polyphenols that play pivotal roles in antioxidant defense mechanisms against Cd-induced oxidative injury (Orororo et al, 2018a;Genchi et al, 2022).…”

Comparing the effects of Cyperus esculentus hydroethanolic extract and Euterpe oleracea on reproductive efficacy against cadmium-induced testicular toxicity in male rats

“…At the same time, accordance to current results, C. esculentus hydroethanolic extract with E. oleracea “CHE-EO” can demonstrate an additive effect at the specified dosages; however, their effectiveness is evident when administered individually in comparison to the control, due to their abilities to improve the sperm functions and reduce the adverse effects of exposure to CdCl 2 as reduced the dead and abnormal sperm with increasing motility, count, live sperm and decrease abnormal sperm in CdCl 2 -CHE-EO- treated rats that contributed to the ability of anthocyanin, major natural antioxidant of E. oleracea , to lower CdCl 2 accumulation in blood and testis, suppress the oxidative stress and reduce the sperm deformities, that consistent with finding of [37] , as well as, administrated C. esculentus extract with E. oleracea can enhance and improve the testicular antioxidant defense system which aid in protection of cell membranes from oxidative damage due to their contents from quercetin, zinc, vitamins E and C that protect DNA of sperm from ROS and oxidative stress [41] , besides, E. oleracea with C. esculentus extract could induce the signal alteration between spermatozoa and calcium that improve sperm movements [22 , 23] that positively affect sperm motility in TCO treated rats.…”

“…A decrease in these hormone concentrations is an indication of spermatogenesis disruption. CdCl 2 is considered a toxic substance for the brain; it accumulates in pituitary and hypothalamic tissues, causing deformity and damage in hypothalamic and pituitary cells, leading to disruption of gene expression of pituitary Gnrhr, Fshβ, and Lhβ , and hypothalamic Gnrh [41] , thus affecting FSH and LH secretion as observed in Cd exposure rats ( Fig. 2A and B ).…”

The Potential Neuroprotective Effect of Cyperus esculentus L. Extract in Scopolamine-Induced Cognitive Impairment in Rats: Extensive Biological and Metabolomics Approaches

“…TN extract offers antioxidant [ 44 , 45 ], anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective [ 46 ] and beneficial effects in memory-related disorders [ 47 ]. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of TN extract on Scop-induced memory impairment in rats.…”