Ameliorative effects of watermelon seed oil (<i>Citrulus lanatus</i>) on cadmium chloride-induced hippocampal toxicity in adult male Wistar rats

BACKGROUND AND AIM: BACKGROUND AND AIM: Humans and other organism are exposed to a broad spectrum cytotoxic heavy metals in the atmosphere due to their interaction with the environment. The aim of the study was to evaluate the ameliorative effect of watermelon (citrullus lanatus) seed oil on cadmium chloride-induced hippocampal damages of male adult Wistar rats. METHODOLOGY: Twenty-five (25) adult male Wistar rats weighing between (120 – 200g) were used for the study. The animals were divided into five groups of five animals per group (n=5). Group I was designated as the (Control and received Physiological Saline, Group II received 5 mg/kg body weight of Cadmium chloride, Group III received 5 mg/kg body weight of cadmium chloride and 500 mg/kg body weight of C. lanatus oil as high dose, Group IV received 5mg/kg body weight of cadmium chloride and 250 mg/kg body weight of C. Lanatus oil as low dose while Group V received 5 mg/kg body weight of cadmium chloride and 10 mg/kg body weight of Succimer for the period of 28 days through Orogastric canula.) RESULTS: (No significance difference in the organ/body weights.) (The spatial learning and memory showed significant increase (p<0.033) in the mean-time to locate the shallow plate form in the Morris water maize test in the second and third week for the toxic groups when compared with the control and the treated groups.) (There was significant increase (p<0.091) in the mean MDA level of CdCl2 group when compared to the control). Histological observation of the hippocampus showed normal cyto-architecture in Group I while Groups II, (showed massive cellular degeneration,) Group III showed some degree of cellular regeneration (while Group V showed comparable evidence of cellular regeneration when compared to Group III and Group IV.) CONCLUSION: The results shows that Water melon Citrullus lanatus oil ameliorated the effects of cadmium on the (morphology), neuro-behavioural activity, histology, and oxidative stress indices in (hippocampus) of adult male Wistar rats.