Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the effect of ripe pepper fruit (RPF) and Unripe pepper fruit (UPF) extract on some biochemical parameters in rats so as to ascertain their possible antidotal effect. Twenty male rats were divided into 5 groups of 4 rats as follows: Group 1: normal control (not exposed to CN), Group 2: cyanide control (exposed to CN alone), Group 3: cyanide + ripe pepper fruit extract (RPF), Group 4: cyanide + unripe pepper fruit (UPF) and Group 5: cyanide + sodium thiosulphate. 500 mg/kg b.w of both ripe and unripe pepper fruit extracts and 1000 mg/kg b.w. of sodium thiosulphate were given by gavages to the respective rats three times a week. While KCN was given to the cyanide exposed rats at a concentration of 9.0 mgCN in their drinking water for 4 weeks. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), urea, uric acid, creatinine, and liver and kidney lipid peroxidation (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase determined using standard biochemical procedures. The results indicated a significant increase (P<0.05) in AST, ALT, ALP, urea, creatinine, uric acid, liver and kidney MDA in all rats exposed to cyanide when compared with the control group. However a significant decrease (P>0.05) was observed in all these parameters in the groups treated with both the RPF and UPF extract. In conclusion, although the Ripe pepper fruit aqueous extract and the unripe extract were able to ameliorate the effect of cyanide in the rats, the Unripe Pepper fruit extract can be substituted as a better antidote to cyanide poisoning.