Ameliorative Effect of Citrullus Lanatus Aqueous Seed Extract on Pah-Induced Organ Damage in Albino Rats

Student: Uche Oliveth Ugochukwu (Project, 2025)
Department of Biochemistry
University of Port-Harcourt, Rivers State

Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widespread environmental pollutants known to induce oxidative stress and organ toxicity through bioactivation and generation of reactive oxygen species. This study investigated the ameliorative effect of Citrullus lanatus (watermelon) aqueous seed extract on PAH-induced organ damage in albino rats. Thirty adult male albino rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=6): control, PAH-treated, and three treatment groups receiving PAH with varying doses of C. lanatus seed extract (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg body weight) for 28 days. Biochemical markers of hepatic and renal function (AST, ALT, ALP, urea, creatinine) as well as oxidative stress indices (MDA, SOD, CAT, and GSH) were assessed, alongside histopathological evaluation of liver and kidney tissues.

Keywords
ameliorative effect citrullus lanatus aqueous extract pah-induced organ damage albino
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