INFLUENCE OF ANTHOCYANIN-FREE AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF Hibiscus sabdariffa L PETAL ON CADMIUM TOXICITY IN MALE RATS

Abstract

The effects of anthocyanin-free aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa petal on body weight gain, organ/body weight ratio and selected toxicological indices in cadmium intoxicated male rats were examined. When compared to cadmium-free and extract-free control ,cadmium caused significant (P < 0.05) decreases in prostate/body weight and testis/body weight ratios .Prostatic acid phosphatase activity (only in prostate) and catalase activities in the prostate and testis were also significantly ( P < 0.05 ) increased. It was also found to have increased malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations significantly (P < 0.05) relative to the cadmium-free and extract- free control rats. Pretreatment of rats with anthocyanin-free aqueous extract of H. sabdariffa offered 51.8 and 32.7% protection to the prostate and testis respectively against cadmium-induced decreases in prostate/body weight and testis/body weight ratios relative to rats exposed to cadmium alone. The extract also caused 55.0% decrease in cadmium – mediated inhibition of prostatic acid phosphatase activity in the prostate and 81.8% decrease in its enhancement of superoxide dismutase activity in prostate relative to rats exposed to cadmium alone. Prior exposure of rats to the extract before cadmium significantly (p < 0.05) reduced superoxide dismutase activity in the prostate when compared to the rats exposed to cadmium only. Anthocyanin-free extract of the aqueous extract H. sabdariffa petal therefore offers partial, protection against cadmium – induced changes in prostate and testes