Effect Of Aqueous Extract Of African Mistletoe (Loranthus Micranthvs Linn) On Cadmium-Induced Toxicity In The Kidney Of Male Wistar Rats :- Okwor, Linus O

ABSTRACT viii The effect of aqueous leaf extract of African mistletoe (Loranthus micranthus) of cadmium-induced toxicity on kidney of male wistar rats was evaluated. The acute toxicity test ofthe aqueous leave extract showed no toxicity up to 5000mg/kg body weight. Twenty (20) male wistar rats were used and they were divided into four groups. Group (1) series as control. Group (2) receive only aqueous leaves extract (150mg/kg), group three (3) receive only drug (cadmium, 50mg/kg) and group four (4) receive aqueous leaves extract (150mg/kg) and the drug (50mg/kg). There were significant increase (p<0.05) in catalase activity (CAT) ofthe extract treated group when compared to group 1, 3 and 4. However, there was a non-significant (p>0.05) increase in the catalase activity of the group that receive cadmium and extract (group 4) when compared to group one (1). The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of the group that receive the aqueous leaves extract of Loranthus micranthus showed a marked increase when compared to the control group. The SOD activity ofthe group that receive drug (cadmium) was low (p>0.05) compare to control group. However, the SOD activity of the group that was treated with Loranthus micranthus and drug showed an increase in SOD activity. There was a significant decrease (p>0.05) in the leave extract group (group 2) compared to control in the MDA concentration. The MDA concentration of the group treated with the drug (cadmium) showed a significant increase (p<0.05) compared to group 1, 2 and 3. Reduced glutathione (GSH) showed a significant increase (p<0.05) in the extract treated group when compared with the control group. However, there was a significant decrease (p>0.05) in the group treated with the Loranthus micranthus and the drug compared to the control. From the above study, it could derived that the leaves extract was not toxic and did not increase the geneiation of tree radicals but rather was able to reduce the rate of free radical geneiated and hence has ameliorative effects in toxicity induced by free radical and also increased antioxidant properties