title: Cadmium-induced toxicity and the hepatoprotective potentials of aqueous extract of jessiaea nervosa leaf.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Hepatoprotective potentials of Jussiaea nervosa leaf extract against Cadmium-induced hepatotoxicity were investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty albino rats were randomly assigned into groups A-G with 4 rats in each of the groups A-F. Group A served as control and were given feed only while rats in groups B-F were orally exposed to varying concentrations of cadmium for six weeks. Effects of cadmium were most significant at 12 mg/Kg body weight (BW), and this dose was used for subsequent test involving oral administration of Jussiaea nervosa leaf extracts. In this segment, group G (n= 16) was sub-divided into four: G1-G4, with each sub-group containing four rats. Rats in sub-group G1 were given cadmium and feed only and served as positive control. Rats in sub-groups G2, G3, and G4 were given cadmium and 20, 50 and 100g/kg BW of Jussiaea nervosa extract, respectively, for six weeks. Blood and liver were analysed using standard laboratory techniques and methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Liver function parameters (ALT, AST, ALP, bilirubin) were significantly (p<0.05) elevated in exposed rats in comparison to the controls, except for total protein and albumin, which were significantly decreased. Histopathological assessment reveals renal pathology in exposed rats in sharp contrast with the controls. Jussiaea nervosa extract however lowered the values of liver function parameters with 100mg/Kg BW dose producing the highest ameliorative effects. Similarly, the serum albumin and total protein significantly (p<0.05) improved with normal liver architecture.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results show the hepatoprotective potentials of Jussiaea nervosa extract against Cd toxicity.
authors: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Ebonyi State University, PMB 053, Abakaliki, Nigeria.
authors: Ama Udu
authors: AU
authors: Ibiam
authors: Emmanuel Ike
authors: EI
authors: Ugwuja
authors: Christ
authors: C
authors: Ejeogo
authors: Okechukwu
authors: O
authors: Ugwu
keywords: Biochemical parameters; Cadmium toxicity; Hepatoprotection; Jussiaea nervosa