Abstract

Cadmium is a widespread environmental pollutant that induces toxicity in animals via the generation of free radicals. Hence, medicinal plants with anti-oxidative potentials are being evaluated for use as antidote against the deleterious effects of this metal. The present study investigated the protective potentials of ethanol leaf extract of Pterocarpus mildbraedii against cadmium chloride induced hepatotoxicity, oxidative stress and dyslipidemia in albino rats. Fresh leaves of Pterocarpus mildbraedii were harvested and processed in December, 2020. Twenty four (24) male Wistar rats weighing 140 – 180 g were divided into four groups with 6 animals in each group. Group 1 served as the control group. Groups 2 and 3 were administered 10 mg/kg body weight and 400 mg/kg body weight of cadmium chloride and ethanol leaf extract of Pterocarpus mildbraedii respectively, for 21 days. Group 4 received cadmium chloride before the extract for 21 days. Serum was used in the determination of biomarkers of hepatotoxicity and lipid profile while the indices of oxidative stress were analyzed in liver homogenate. The results showed that cadmium chloride induced liver damage evidenced as significant increase (p

Key words: Cadmium chloride; Hepatotoxicity; Lipid Profile; Oxidative Stress; Pterocarpus mildbraedii