Abstract
This study was carried out to investigate the effects of Tetracarpidium conophorum on iron overload-induced cardiac toxicity in wistar rats. A total of 30 rats weighing between 170-245g were divided into six groups (A, B, C, D, E and F) of five per group. Group A (control) was administered 1ml of distilled water, group B, C, D, E, and F were induced with iron (II) chloride for thirty days and treated with different doses of the extract except group B for thirty days, group F was treated with standard drugs at the same time interval, using orogastric tube. After last day of administering drugs, the rats were left for an overnight fast and then sacrificed 24 hours later. Blood tissue samples were collected through cardiac puncture and immediately transferred to EDTA sample bottles for iron level and total iron concentration tests. 2ml was transferred into plain sample bottles for oxidative stress test analysis. Free radical scavenging activities, lipid peroxidation, haematological indices, body and heart weight and histological studies analysis were accessed. Results shows that there was significant increase (p<0.05) in body weight and no significant change in organ weight. These show that Tetracarpidium conophorum extract when mildly consumed has healing effect on damages heart induced by iron (II) chloride. It also proves anti-inflammatory activity of walnut. Histological slides showed vascular ulceration, erosion and stenosis of coronary artery in group B treated with only iron (II) chloride while other groups were normal. There was no significant change in anti-oxidant enzymes activities, except glutathione peroxidase that significantly increased in group F treated with high dose of the extract. However, graded doses of Tetracarpidium conophorum and standard drug reversed the lesions induced by iron (II) choride. Tetracarpidium conophorum extract has ameliorating effects on iron (II) chloride-induced heart damage.
Highlights
Iron is a vital metal for haemoglobin synthesis of erythrocytes, cellular proliferation and oxidationreduction reactions, but excess iron accumulation causes organ dysfunction by the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) [1]
Results shows that there was significant increase (p
Two-third of iron is composed of red blood cells (RBC) and recycled iron by RBC destruction, remainder is stored in ferritin /hemosiderin, while only about 1-2g are absorbed in the intestinal tract and circulated in blood [3]
Summary
Iron is a vital metal for haemoglobin synthesis of erythrocytes, cellular proliferation and oxidationreduction reactions, but excess iron accumulation causes organ dysfunction by the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) [1]. The metabolism of iron is regulated by several factors such as hepcidin. It is a peptide hormone that affects iron absorption in small intestine and systemic iron regulation absorbed in the ileum and jejunum [2]. Ahluwalia et al, [4] shows that there is relationship between body iron overload and pathogenesis of numerous degenerative diseases, as well as atherosclerosis. Excessive iron has been reported to be a potent risk factor for coronary heart disease [5]. The consumption of food rich in iron and administration iron supplements to patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) should be properly regulated [6]. Different parts of T. conophorum have been used ethnomedically, including the stem bark, leaves, seeds and roots for the treatment of toothache, cold, eczema, dizziness and prostate cancer. The seed kernel, when eaten raw, has a bitter taste and is
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