Evaluation of the Effects of Water Melon Seed Oil (Citrullus lanatus) on Cadmium Induced Cerebral Toxicity in Male Wistar Rats

Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal that accumulates predominantly in soft tissues and as such is currently one of the most important occupational and environmental pollutants. The study evaluated the potential protective effects of watermelon seed oil on cadmium-induced toxicity in the cerebrum of male Wistar rats. Group 1 recieved 2 ml/kg of distilled water. Group 2 received 5 mg /kg bwt of cadmium chloride only. Group 3 received 5 mg /kg bwt of cadmium chloride + 500 mg / kg btw of CLSO as high dose. Group 4 received 5 mg /kg bwt of cadmium chloride + 250 mg / kg btw of CLSO as low dose. Group 5 received 5 mg /kg bwt of cadmium chloride + 10 mg / kg bwt of succimer. The administration was done through oral intubation and lasted 28 days. The experimental animals were observed daily and weighed weekly for physical changes. Neuro- behavioral study on anxiety related behaviors was accessed weekly using elevated plus maze test. On the 29 th day of the experiment, the final body weights were taken and euthanized using 75 mg /kg ketamine IP. The brain tissues were homogenized using 5 times (w/v) homogenizing buffer (pH 7.4). The homogenate was centrifuged at 4000 rpm to get the supernatant for biochemical analysis. While organ/ body weight revealed no significant changes, behavioral study show that Citrulus lanatus seed oil significantly (p

Key Words: Cadmium chloride. Oxidative stress, Toxicity Citrulus lanatus, Histology