Organoprotective Effects of Afromamum Sceptrum Aqueous Seed Extract on Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (pah)-Induced Toxicity in Wistar Rats

ABSTRACT
This study determined the organoprotective effects of afromamum sceptrum aqueous seed extract on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-induced toxicity in wistar rats. 25 rats with body weight between 110-130g were used for this study. The animals were randomly divided into 5 groups, of 5 rats in each. Group A (negative control) given normal feed and water; group B, contains PAHs, water and feed only; group C, D and E were PAHs administered, in addition with low, medium and high dose of afromamum sceptrum aqueous seed extract in 50, 100, and 200mg/kg respectively. The afromamum sceptrum aqueous seed extract was administered via orally and the experiment lasted for a period of 14 days. Blood samples were collected by left ventricular cardiac puncture for hepatic, Renal and haematological indices at the last day of the experiment. The outcome of this research revealed that administration B(a)P resulted in significant (p≤0.05) increase in the activity of AST from (155.67±0.13 and 175.27±0.27) in the negative control group at day 7 and 14 respectively to (68.14±0.17, 106.16±0.61 and 84.37±0.14: 69.00±0.36, 111.07±0.63, and 92.10±0.30) in the positive control group at day 7 and day 14 in 50, 100 and 200mg/kg b.w respectively of afromamum sceptrum aqueous seeds significantly (p≤0.05) reduced the serum level of liver enzymes AST, ALT, ALP, albumin renal indices Urea and Creatinine, and WBC which were increased due to PAHs induction. A significant (p≤0.05) decrease were observes in Hb and total protein (TP) in the serum of positive control group compared to the negative control but this was reverted to normal by 50 and 200mh/kg dosage. Treatment of the PAHs exposed rats with the afromamum sceptrum aqueous seed extract restored, protected and improved the indices of liver, kidney and haematological parameters in the experimental animals. Afromamum sceptrum aqueous seed extract is a potential source of natural antioxidant against PAHs exposure