Defensive Influence of Methanol Fraction and Crude Extract of Cocoplum (Chrysobalanus icaco L.) on Nickel Toxicity in Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the defensive influence of methanol fraction and crude extract of cocoplum (Chrysobalanus icaco L.) on nickel toxicity in male Wistar rats. Biochemical analyses in the serum and tissues (liver and kidney) were carried out using standard procedures. Significant (p < 0.05) increase were observed in aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatinine, urea, fragmented deoxyribose nucleic acid (DNA), and decrease in albumin and total protein in serum and tissues of Group 2 when compared with Group 1. The oral administration of C. icaco methanol fraction and crude extract significantly decreased AST, ALT, ALP, creatinine, urea, fragmented DNA and increased albumin and total protein in the serum and tissues when compared with Group 2. The histology of various organs (liver and kidney) of Group 2 revealed inflammation of portal vein and degeneration of hepatocytes. The renal tubules showed inflammation of glomerulus and tubular cell. The administration of C. icaco extract markedly reduced the histological alterations of various organs studied. However, these efficacies were shown to be better in the methanol crude extract than the methanol fraction of C. icaco.