Changes in Liver Histomorphology, Hematological Parameters and Lipid Profile of Cadmium-Exposed Rats Treated with Combined Leaf Extract of Vernonia amygdalina and Occimum gratissimum

Aim: This study was aimed at examing the effect of mixture of Ocimum gratissimum extract and Vernonia amygdalina extract on lipid profile and hematological parameters of Wistar rats administered with cadmium.

Methodology: Sixteen female rats were divided into four groups and designated as follows: Group 1-Control (Normal Saline,) Group 2-(Cadmium 10mg/kg bwt), Group 3 (Normal saline, leaf extract 200kg/kg bwt) Group 4 (Cadmium 10mg/kg bwt and leaf extract 200kg/kg bwt) and were treated for 28 days (4 weeks).

Results: Exposure of rats to Cadmium alone (Group B) brought about significant increase in levels of Cholesterol, TAG and LDL with a decrease in HDL compared to control and rats maintained on plant extract alone (Group 3). However, treatment of Cd-exposed rats with mixture of the plant extracts (Group 4) significantly reduced Cholesterol, TAG and LDL with an increase in HDL compared to rats maintained on Cd alone (Group 2). The PCV and RBC of the rats administered with the cadmium showed a significant reduction when compared to the control group, whereas the WBC increased significantly (p< 0.05). The group administered with the leaf extract and a combination of the leaf extract and cadmium recorded an increased in the (PCV), (RBC) level of the Wistar rat and a reduction in the (WBC) level when compared to the group administered with cadmium.

Conclusion: The findings of this study demonstrate that mixture of Ocimum gratissimum and Vernonia amygdalina extracts have lipid lowering properties that may be advantageous to those with the problem of cadmium toxicity. The extracts were also found to be efficient in decreasing cholesterol, triacylglyceride, and low density lipoprotein levels, indicating that they have hypocholesterolaemic properties.