Tetrapleura Tetraptera Fruit Protects Against Cyanide Induced Toxicity in Rats

Abstract

At present there is no approved food antidote for cyanide poisoning. Therefore, plants are being tested as possible antidotes for cyanide (CN) toxicity. This study aimed to evaluate the possible protective role of the ethanolic extract of Tetrapleura tetraptera (T. tetraptera) against cyanide nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity in male rats. Forty five male albino rats divided into nine groups were used for the experiment: Group 1 received water only, Group 2 received CN only, Group 3 received CN + thiosulphate, Groups 4, 5 and 6 received 100, 250 and 500 mg/kg T tetraptera extract, respectively. Groups 7, 8 and 9 received CN in addition to 100, 250 and 500 mg/kg T tetraptera, respectively. The results showed elevated levels of lipid peroxidation, aminoaspartate transferase, alanine amino transferase, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine, and urea in the serum and tissues of cyanide treated rats.  Significant decreases in superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were also observed in the liver and kidney of cyanide treated rats. Histological analysis showed CN- induced structural distortions of the liver and kidney tissues. However treatment with T. tetraptera fruit extract was able to mitigate these damages. This study indicates that T. tetraptera fruit extract possesses hepato-and-nephro-protective properties and can be used as an antidote for cyanide poisoning.