Hepatoprotective effects of palm oil and coconut water in the serum of Wistar rats exposed to cadmium chloride contaminated diet

Abstract

To study the hepatoprotective effects of palm oil and coconut liquor in the liver, twenty four Wistar rats were exposed to moderate level of cadmium chloride for 6 weeks. The rats were divided into four Groups of 6 rats each. Group I animals received distilled water and a diet free of CdCl₂ while Group II animals were given CdCl₂ contaminated diet of 50mg/kg diet. Also, Group III and IV animals were administered 3ml palm oil and 3ml coconut water respectively along side fed with a CdCl₂ contaminated diet of 50mg/kg diet for the same duration. The palm oil and coconut water were given orally once daily by gavage. CdCl₂ caused an elevated increase in the levels of ALT, AST and ALP which was significantly (p<0.05) different from the control and other Groups. On the contrary, palm oil and coconut water decreased ALT, AST and ALP to a significantly (p<0.05) level. There was also a drop in the protein level of the CdCl₂ administered Group alone when compared with the palm oil and coconut water Groups, indicating loss of hepatocytes. In conclusion, this study reveals that palm oil and coconut liquor possess properties that can be able to ameliorate CdCl₂- induced toxicity (which is dose dependent) and this supports its usage in local treatment as an antidote upon the accidental consumption of some xenobiotics.

Keywords: Cadmium chloride (CdCl₂), coconut water, hepatoprotective, palm oil