Toxicological Evaluation of Cod Liver Oil-Enriched Vernonia amygdalina Leaf-Based Diet in Wistar Rats
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Date
2023-06-30
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Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Cod Liver Oil-Enriched V.amygdalina Leaf-Based Diet in
our previous study elicited wound-healing effect in Type
2 diabetic rats. As part of the safety evaluation of this
nutraceutical formulation, it is important to evaluate it
toxicity profile. Therefore the purpose of this study was to
determine the toxicological effect of cod liver oil-enriched
V. amygdalina leaf-based diet (CLVA) in Wistar rats. Acute
oral toxicity (limit test) and sub-acute toxicity (repeated
dose 28-days oral toxicity) tests were carried out using
Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development
guidelines. For acute toxicity experiment, 2000 mg/kg
body weight (b.wt.) single dose administration was given to
5 overnight-fasted female rats. This was done sequentially
in an interval of 48 hr. While for the sub-acute study,
30 male and 30 female rats were assigned randomly to 6
groups constituting 4 main and 2 reversal groups, each
containing 10 rats (5 male and 5 females). CLVA at the
following doses; 0, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg b.wt. were
administered daily to Wistar rats for 28 days. Rats in the
Main groups (G1, G2, G3 & G4) were sacrificed at day 29
while the reversal groups (G1R & G4R) were monitored
for another 14 days without CLVA administration.
Data were analysed using the 20th version of Statistical
Package for Social Sciences. Results showed that the
lethal dose of CLVA in Wistar rat was above 2000 mg/
kg b.wt. Water, feed intake, liver function indices (alanine
aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, albumin,
total protein and total bilirubin), kidney function indices
(alkaline phosphatase, blood urea nitrogen, urea, and
electrolytes), lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides),
glucose concentration and haematological parameters were
not altered significantly (p > 0.05) in CLVA-fed groups.
Histopathological examination of kidneys and livers
did not show any treatment-related changes as well. In
conclusion, administration of CLVA at the studied doses is
safe for consumption and can therefore be recommended
for use by patients suffering from diabetes with delayed
wound healing.
Description
Keywords
Nutraceutical, Vegetable, Biochemical, Feed, Histopathology