Abstract

Oxidative stress caused by cadmium in living systems leading to various clinical interpretations has been well documented. The study investigated if methanol extract of Telfairia occidentalis and Amaranthus hybridus could ameliorate the toxicity caused by cadmium. Administration of cadmium lead to an increase in lipid peroxidation marker MDA 0.42+018, 1.66+1.13 and reduced the concentration of enzymatic antioxidants SOD 10.22+2.13, 10.92+0.54, Catalase 22.82+14.74, 19.90+1.16 and GSH 18.02+0.49, 12.89+085 in liver and kidney of the rats. Result for liver function assay showed a significant increase in AST 24.00+3.31, ALT 60.40+10.85 and ALP 78.05+15.75 in the serum of rats administered cadmium without treatment. Total protein concentration was significantly higher in the vegetable treated group when compared to the group administered cadmium without treatment 3.72+041. Kidney function assay, creatinine and urea were significantly high in the rat administered cadmium without treatment when compared to the rats that received the vegetables. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of flavonoids, phenols, alkaloid in high concentration in the vegetables. In vitro antioxidant reflected high radical scavenging activity. From the result of this study, the vegetable showed robust ameliorative effect on cadmium induced toxicity which can be labelled to the rich antioxidant content of the vegetables and also the ability of the vegetable to promote phase 2 bio-transformation of xenobiotic.

Key words: ALT, Catalase, Proteins, GSH, Vegetables