Possible metabolic abnormalities of lipids in rabbits given amoxicilin overdose and raw cucumber (Cucumis Sativus) fruit juice

Abstract

Study Background: Raw cucumber (Cucumis sativus) fruit juice contains substances of health benefits. Metabolism of lipids takes place in the liver. Overdose of amoxicillin (an antibiotic) can cause hemolysis, hepatotoxicity, and inflammation. Aim and Objective: This work was designed to determine the possible metabolic abnormalities of total cholesterol (T-Chol), total triglycerides (TGs), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-Chol), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-Chol) in rabbits given amoxicillin overdose and raw cucumber (C. sativus) fruit juice. Materials and Methods: Fifteen rabbits of the same sex weighing 0.9–1.4 kg divided into three groups of five rabbits each were used for the study. Group A – Five control rabbits; Group B – Five rabbits given 30 mg/kg BW subcutaneous injection of amoxicillin every 24 h for 7 days which was followed by 30 ml raw cucumber fruit juice supplementation for 14 days; Group C – Five rabbits were given 30 mg/kg BW subcutaneous injection of amoxicillin every 24 h and raw cucumber fruit juice supplementation for 14 days simultaneously. Plasma T-Chol, total TGs, and HDL-Chol were determined in the rabbits biochemically using spectrophotometry. Results: The results obtained showed a significant decrease in the plasma T-Chol and HDL-Chol in the rabbits when they were given 30 mg/kg BW subcutaneous injection of amoxicillin every 24 h for 7 days compared with the results obtained in the normal control rabbits, their basal samples, and the results obtained when the rabbits were supplemented with 30 ml raw cucumber fruit juice for 14 days after amoxicillin overdose with P < 0.05. Conclusion: The work showed a significant decrease in the plasma T-ChoL and HDL-Chol in the rabbits when they were given overdose of amoxicillin while plasma values of these parameters were significantly increased though not higher than in the control rabbits and basal samples when the rabbits were supplemented with raw cucumber fruit juice.