CADMIUM CHLORIDE INDUCED ELECTROLYTE IMBALANCE, PANCYTOPENIA, OXIDATIVE STRESS AND RENAL DAMAGE: AMELIORATING EFFECTS OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF TELFAIRIA OCCIDENTALIS

Cadmium is a known nephrotoxic metal with other toxicities including pancytopenia. Telfairia occidentalis is a medicinal plant with antioxidant and chemoprotective properties. This study was carried out to investigate the ameliorating effects of aqueous extract of Telfairia occidentalison cadmium chloride-induced oxidative stress, renal damage and hematological alterations in rats. Twenty four (24) adult male rats were divided into 4 groups of 6 rats each. Group I received distilled water, group II, III, and IV were administered 5 mg/kg body weight CdCl₂, group III; IV was treated with 200 and 400 mg/kg bw respectively of aqueous extract of Telfairia occidentalisfor 14 days while rats in group II were left untreated. Results obtained showed that administration of cadmium caused significant reduction in all the hematological parameters, reduced GSH, ascorbic acid, Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione S-transferase (GST), Catalase (CAT), serum Sodium ion and bicarbonate ions as well as increase in MDA (malondialdehyde) level and serum level of potassium ion, serum urea, and creatinine. However, treatment with various doses of aqueous extract of Telfairia occidentalis significantly ameliorate the adverse effects of Cadmium as it increased the cellular components of the blood while it also reverses serum potassium, urea, creatinine, and redox status. In conclusion, aqueous extract of Telfairia occidentalis effectively suppressed Cadmium-induced electrolyte imbalance, pancytopenia, oxidative stress, and renal damage, suggesting its protective potentials in anemic and renal-related disorders.