Hepatoprotective effects of Quassia amara stem bark against cadmium-induced toxicity in male Wistar rats

Olawale O. Obembe; Taofeek O. Usman; Yinusa Raji

doi:10.1515/jbcpp-2020-0128

Article

Hepatoprotective effects of Quassia amara stem bark against cadmium-induced toxicity in male Wistar rats

Olawale O. Obembe , Taofeek O. Usman and Yinusa Raji

Published/Copyright: February 8, 2021

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From the journal Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology Volume 32 Issue 6

Abstract

Objectives

The liver is one of the primary biorepositories of cadmium (Cd) and it has been implicated in the pathogenesis of hepatic diseases. Quassia amara stem bark has been reputed to have strong antimalarial, antimicrobial, antiulcerative and amoebicidal properties. This study aims to determine the effects of Q. amara on Cd-induced hepatotoxicity and lipid profile in male Wistar rats.

Methods

The animals were divided into three groups of five animals each. Group 1 served as control while group 2 received Cd (5 mg/kg) for 4 weeks. Prior to Cd treatment, group 3 was treated with Q. amara extract (200 mg/kg) for 2 weeks and received the Q. amara and Cd simultaneously for 4 weeks.

Results

Cadmium caused significant increase in serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) as well as increased hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) when compared with the control group. On the other hand, Cd caused a decrease in serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) when compared with control. However, treatment with Q. amara prevented Cd-induced changes in the lipid profile, augmented Cd-induced decline in SOD and also ameliorated the Cd-induced increase in MDA. Catalase level was however comparable across the groups.

Conclusions

Q. amara ameliorated the Cd-induced damage to liver by preventing dyslipidemia and oxidative damage in the hepatic tissue.

Keywords: cadmium; dyslipidemia; hepatotoxicity; liver; Quassia amara

Corresponding author: Olawale O. Obembe, PhD, Department of Physiology, College of Health Sciences, Osun State University, Osogbo, Nigeria, E-mail: olawale.obembe@uniosun.edu.ng

Research funding: None declared.
Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
Competing interests: Authors state no conflict of interest.
Informed consent: Not applicable.
Ethical approval: This study was approved by the Ethical Review Committee of Osun State University.

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Received: 2020-05-26

Accepted: 2020-09-08

Published Online: 2021-02-08

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Articles in the same Issue

https://doi.org/10.1515/jbcpp-2020-0128

Keywords for this article

cadmium; dyslipidemia; hepatotoxicity; liver; Quassia amara