Changes in Biochemical Indices in Lead-Induced Toxicity Following Administration of Methanolic Extracts of Curcuma longa Rhizomes and Cucumis sativus Fruits

Biochemical indices are important biomarkers of health and disease state in both humans and rodents. This study was designed to evaluate plausible changes in biochemical indices in lead-induced toxicity following administration of methanolic extracts of Curcuma longa rhizomes and Cucumis sativus fruits. Twenty five (25) male rats weighing between 145g-200g were purchased, acclimatized and subsequently randomly distributed into five (5) groups(5 rats each) and were treated for 28 daysas follows: Group 1: Control group (received distilled water and normal feed only); Group 2: received a daily dose of 2.25mg/kg lead for 28 days; Group 3: rats received 2.25mg/kg lead + 200mg/kg Curcuma longa rhizome extract; Group 4: rats received 2.25mg/kg lead + 500mg/kg Cucumis sativus extract; Group 5: rats received 2.25mg/kg lead + 200mg/kg Curcuma longa rhizome + 500mg/kg body weight of Cucumis sativus extracts. Daily treatments with lead and extracts were orally. Testes were harvested and homogenized for determination of testicular cholesterol and nitric oxide levels on day 29, also blood was collected via direct cardiac puncture for serum liver enzymes and lipid parameters estimation. Expectedly, significantly higher values of testicular cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total cholesterol, triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein but decrease nitric oxide, total protein, albumin and high-density lipoprotein levels were observed amongst group 2 rats administered 2.25mg/kg lead compared to group 1 ratsp<0.05, suggesting a possible deleterious effect of lead. Predictably, individual doses of the extracts of Curcuma longa rhizome and Cucumis sativus administration to groups 3 and 4 rats significantly ameliorated the above parametersp<0.05, suggesting a likely beneficial effect of Curcuma longa and Cucumis sativus extracts with Curcuma longa rhizome showing greater potency compared to Cucumis sativus. Combined administration of both extracts to group 5 rats showed better therapeutic efficacy compared to both groups 3 and 4 rats. Results suggests that combined treatment with Curcuma longa and Cucumis sativus may present better outcome compared to individual administration. More studies are recommended to this end.