Ameliorative Effect of Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) Supplement against Acetaminophen - Induced Hepato-Renal Toxicity in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Background: Recently, many drugs have been developed and used for the treatment of hepatic and renal diseases. Nutmeg apart from being utilized as kitchen spices in Nigeria has also been used for healing and medicinal purposes.
 Aims: In the present study, nutmeg supplement was evaluated against Acetaminophen (APAP) induced hepato- renal-toxicity.
 Study Design: Twenty (20) adult wistar rats weighing185-220 were obtained from animal house of the department of Pharmacology University of Port Harcourt were divided into four groups having 5 rats each (n=5).
 Methodology: The animals were divided into four groups of 5 rats each: Group A (normal control) were administered distilled water, group B (negative control) received a single dose of acetaminophen (1000 mg/kg) for two days. Group C received 500 mg/kg body weight of nutmeg supplement one hour before receiving 1000 mg/kg acetaminophen, while group D received acetaminophen (1000 mg/kg) only on day 1 and 2 and the drug extracts on day 3-7. All dosage was dissolved in distilled water orally. The experiment lasted for seven days. Twenty four hours after drugs administrations the animals in each group were anaesthetized. Blood samples were collected and animals sacrificed, liver and kidney tissues removed for various histopathological, biochemistry, antioxidant and haematological examinations using standard procedures. Statistical analysis was done using ANOVA and Tukey poc-hoc Test.
 Results: Administration of nutmeg supplement orally effectively restrained APAP-induced alterations in the activities of hepatic (48.60-38.00) and renal markers and Antioxidant enzymes in liver (0.43-0.53). The hepatic and renal architecture of APAP administered rats showed distorted liver and kidney tissues, hepatic vacuolations, destroyed glomerular and renal tubules. Nutmeg+APAP as well as APAP+ Nutmeg administrations were able to ameliorate the effects of APAP administration.
 Conclusion: The result indicated that APAP overdosed is hepato-renal- toxic and Nutmeg supplement possessed hepato-prote-curative properties as well as renal-prote-curative properties against APAP-induced damage in rats.