title: Polyphenol-rich extract of Vernonia amygdalina (Del.) leaves ameliorated cadmium-induced alterations in feeding pattern and urine volume of male Wistar rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effects of polyphenol-rich extract of the leaves of Vernonia amygdalina (PEVA) on the feeding pattern of rats that were exposed to cadmium (Cd) toxicity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty male Wistar rats, weighing 160-180 g, were divided into 6 groups of 5 rats each as follows; Group 1 received distilled water orally (0.2 ml/100 g), daily, throughout the period of study. Group 2 received Cd alone (in the form of CdSO4) at 5 mg/kg/day via intraperitoneal route for 5 consecutive days. Group 3 were pre-treated with Cd as Group 2 and thereafter left untreated for a period of 4-week. After the oral lethal dose of PEVA was determined, Groups 4, 5, and 6 were pre-treated with Cd as Group 2 after which they received graded doses of PEVA at 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/day (0.2 ml/100 g), respectively via oral route for 4 weeks. Blood samples were collected for some plasma biochemical assays while urine samples were collected using metabolic cages.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PEVA administration significantly increased (P < 0.05) the body weight and feeding patterns that were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) by Cd toxicity. PEVA also significantly reinstated the plasma antioxidant status, as well as glucose and urine volume of the rats toward control values (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PEVA can be an herbal alternative in the treatment or management of subjects manifesting alterations in feeding pattern and urine volume that is Cd-induced.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Christian Eseigbe
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Imafidon
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Rufus Ojo
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Akomolafe
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Abubakar Abefe
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Sanusi
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Oluwadare Joshua
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Ogundipe
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Olaoluwa Sesan
authors.initials: OS
authors.lastname: Olukiran
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Oladele Abraham
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Ayowole
keywords: Cadmium; feeding pattern; oral lethal dose; polyphenol-rich extract of Vernonia amygdalina; rats