Therapeutic Role of Leaf Pulp of Carpobrotus edulis on Chromium VI Induced Toxicity in Wistar Rats
Abstract
Abstract
The leaf pulp of Carpobrotus edulis has antibacterial, antifungal, and tissue regeneration abilities. Chromium is a ubiquitous contaminant that has raised a major concern due to its level of toxicity. This study investigated the therapeutic role of leaf pulp of Carpobrotus edulis on chromium VI-induced toxicity in male Wistar rats. Thirty rats were divided into five groups of six rats, each comprising group 1 (control group), given 0.5 mL of de-ionized water. Group 2 was pre-treated with 0.5 mL of the leaf pulp for seven consecutive days, and afterward, 5 mg/kg potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) was administered for another seven days. Group 3 was given 5 mg/kg K2Cr2O7 for seven days and 0.5 mL of the leaf pulp after that. Group 4 was given only 5 mg/kg K2Cr2O7 for 7 days, and group 5 was treated with 0.5 mL of the plant leaf pulp for 14 days. The rats were sacrificed under mild diethyl ether anesthesia twenty-four hours after the last treatment. The blood, liver, and kidney were collected and used for hematological, biochemical, and morphological analyses. Significant increases (p<0>