The effect of aqueous extract of zest of citrus sinensis (AEZCs) on cadmium chloride induced liver toxicity in wistar rats

The potency of the peels of Citrus sinensis against cadmium induced liver damage has not been explored in our environment. 48 wistar rats were used for this study. The animals were randomly divided into eight (8) groups of five (5) rats each. Group A was the positive control and received 5 mg/kg body weight (bw) of cadmium chloride (CdCl2) intraperitoneally as a single dose. Groups B and C received the aqueous extract of zest of citrus sinensis (AEZCS) at a low doses of 10   and 40 mg/kg bw respectively. Groups D and E received cadmium chloride, followed by low and high doses of AEZCS respectively. Groups F and G received low and high doses of AEZCS followed by CdCl2 while group H served as the normal control. Liver enzymes (AST, ALT and ALP) and serum total proteins were analyzed. The results showed significant (P<0.05) differences in the mean values of LV/BW, ALT, AST, total proteins, serum dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) when the positive control group was compared with the normal control group (P<0.05). Histological sections of the negative control groups were significantly different from the positive control group but not from the groups treated with AEZCS at the high doses. Thus, AEZCS had ameliorative and protective health benefits at the high dose of 40mg/kg body weight.   Key words: Citrus sinensis, oxidative stress, cadmium chloride, hepatotoxicity.