Organo-protective Potentials of Momordica balsamina aqueous plant extract against cadmium-induced stress in wistar rats

This study investigated the protective potentials of Momordica balsamina aqueous plant extract against cadmium-induced stress in wistar rats. Forty-five albino rats weighing 150-200g were used in the study. The rats were randomly divided into 5 groups of 9 rats each; Group A which served as negative control received normal rat feeds and distilled water only while Group B (positive control) received normal rat feeds, distilled water and Cadmium Chloride (CdCl2) with no plant extract administered. Groups C, D and E received 1500, 1000 and 500mg/kg b.w. respectively of aqueous extract of M. balsamina orally for 6 weeks. Following administration of M. balsamina aqueous extract, experimental rats in groups B, C, D and E were intraperitorally administered 2.5mg/kg b.w of CdCl2 for 24h before sacrificing them. Animals were sacrificed at weeks 2, 4 & 6; blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis while the liver and kidney were harvested for histological investigations. There were significant (P<0.05) increases in plasma levels of ALP, AST, and ALT in the CdCl2-treated group recording 575.00±6.17, 101.51±3.78 and 96.76±3.78 IU/L respectively at week 2, as compared to the negative control group which recorded 216.00±15.20, 64.00±4.27 and 36.76±3.78 IU/L at week 2. The CdCl2 group showed significant (P<0.05) increases in plasma levels of K-, Na+ and Urea as compared with the negative control. M. balsamina treated rats showed significant (P<0.05) increase in serum levels of LDH, MDA and SOD. Photomicrographs obtained showed histologically distorted liver and kidney tissues in the CdCl2 group at weeks 2, 4 and 6. Overall, the architecture of the liver was preserved by the administered aqueous leaf extract of M. balsamina. This study suggests that M. balsamina leaves exhibit promising hepatoprotective and antioxidant potency against CdCl2 -induced stress and organ damage in wistar rats.