Phenolics-rich extracts of Nauclea latifolia fruit ameliorates lead acetate-induced haematology and lung tissues toxicity in male Wistar rats

Abstract

Lead toxicity is a worldwide problem that needs to be ameliorated with harmless or less toxic medications contrary to available drugs. As such, ameliorated effects of methanol and methanol/acetone phenolic-rich extracts of N. latifolia fruit (NLF) was assessed on haematological parameters and lung histology of lead acetate induced toxicity rats after acute toxicological study and phenolics analysis of the extracts. Seven groups of Wistar rats comprising of 5 rats each was used for the study. Dosages of 150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg body weight (bw.) of both extracts NLF were administered orally to four of the groups while two groups were administered 100 mg/kg bw. of silymarin and 2 mL/kg bw. of normal saline (Untreated) followed with the control group for 14 days. Phenolics contents (mg/g) of both ex- tracts showed the following order; tannins < flavonoids < total phenols (9.29 < 10.02 < 23.82) and (10.72 < 18.09 < 61.39) for both methanol and methanol/acetone phenolic-rich extracts of NLF respectively with LD 50 > 20 0 0 mg/kg bw. Significant depression of PCV, RBC, MCHC, HB, MCV, MCH, platelet counts, neutrophils and lymphocytes counts with elevation of WBC were observed in the untreated group when compared with the non-toxic control group. The administration of both extracts of NLF at 150 and 300 mg/kg bw. were capable of reverting the haematological changes in lead acetate induced toxicity rats with minimal injury to the lung tissues. Therefore, methanol and methanol/acetone phenolic-rich extracts of NLF can restore haematological abnormalities as well as sustain the integrity of the lung tissues of the experimental rats. Hence, the phenolics content of N. latifolia fruit can be exploited further for drug development for the management of lead toxicity.