FUW TRENDS IN SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(A Peer Review Journal)
e–ISSN: 2408–5162; p–ISSN: 2048–5170
keywords: Nutrition, vegetables, toxicity, liver function, Cnidoscolus aconitifolius, Psychotria sp
The study examined the toxicological effects of some Nigerian indigenous green leafy vegetables (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius, Psychotria sp. and T. occidentalis) on adult albino rats. Different diets were formulated using the individual green leafy vegetable (GLV) and rats food. Groups 1 – 3 consist of rats fed with 5 g (5%) each of Psychotria sp, Cnidoscolus aconitifolius and Telfairia occidentalis pulverized leaves per 100 g (95 g of rat food + 5 g vegetable) of rat food and Groups 4 – 6 consist of rats fed 10 g (10%) each. However, Group 7 (control) was fed with rat food only. Biochemical analysis (liver function test) was determined using standard methods. Histological analysis was carried out according to the procedure recommended by Drury and Wallington. Biochemical results showed that the activity of alkaline amino transferase (ALT) decreased generally in all the groups, except for Cnidoscolius group at 10% concentration that had increased activity relative to the control group. However the decreases/increases in ALT activity werenot significant (p>0.05) relative to the control. There was a significant decrease (p<0.05) in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in all the test groups relative to the control. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity increased in groups fed Psychotria sp and Telfaria (5% and 10%) diet. The liver tissues of rats fed Psychotria and Cnidoscolus revealed moderate to severe histopathological lesions which implied that they are toxic to the liver. Hence, their consumption should be regulated.
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