Lead Acetate-Induced Hepatotoxicity and the ameliorative effect of Aqueous Extract of Adansonia digitata Fruit Pulp in Clarias gariepinus

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate serum hepatic changes induced by lead acetate (PbA) and the ameliorative effect of aqueous extract of Adansonia digitata fruit pulp (AEADFP) in Clarias gariepinus. Methods: A total of 120 Clarias gariepinus (185 ± 5 g) were assigned randomly into 6 groups (A, B, C, D, E and F) of n=20. Group A was administered borehole water for 35 days; Group B, C, D, E and F were administered PbA for 14 days and subsequently borehole water, 195 mg/L of AEADFP, 390 mg/L of AEADFP, 585 mg/L of AEADFP and 15 mg/L of dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), respectively, for 21 days. Four fish per group were randomly selected on weekly basis for serum biochemical analysis of hepatic function markers. Results: There was significant (p<0.05) elevation in alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin and total cholesterol levels in the PbA-induced groups B, C, D, E and F, at week 2 post-induction. Contrarily, total protein and albumin decrease in group B, C, D, E and F, to the lowest mean values of 1.1 ± 0.1 g/dL and 0.7 ± 0.2 g/dL, respectively at week 2 post-induction. However, treatment of PbA-induced group C, D, E and F with AEADFP and DMSA, respectively, significantly ameliorated the negative effects of PbA when compared with the PbA-induced but untreated group. Conclusion: The findings in this study suggest that Adansonia digitata fruit extract has a mitigating potential against PbA-induced hepatotoxicity by ameliorating the upsurge and downturn of liver function parameters. Hence, Adansonia digitata fruits can serve as a natural plant agent in the treatment of lead-induced hepatotoxicity in Clarias gariepinus.