Effects of Tetracarpidium Conophorum on Iron Overload-Induced Cardiac Toxicity in Wistar Rats

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.