1. Renal and hepato-protective effects of Irvingia gabonensis juice on sodium fluoride-induced toxicity in Wistar rats Emejulu, A. A., Alisi, C. S., Asiwe, E. S., Igwe, C. U., Nwogu, L. A. and Onwuliri, V. A. Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, PMB 1526, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.

2. Introduction Irvingia gabonensis (Aubry-Lecomte ex O’Rorke) is a widely farmed perennial fruit tree. Enjoyed both for its succulent pulp and its malleable kernels which are locally used in Nigeria as a substitute for making popular “draw soups”. It has been shown to possess nutritional and medicinal values (Duguma et al., 1990; Ngondi et al., 2005; Quideau et al., 2011).

3. Introduction Cont’d Irvingia gabonensis is commonly known as “Wild mango”, “bush mango” or ‘African mango’. In Nigeria, it is known as ‘Ugiri’ (Igbo) and ‘Dika’ in Cameroon. Especially valued for their fat- and protein- rich nuts called ogbono or dika nuts

4. Irvingia gabonensis fruits

5. Aim of the study Lots of studies on the seeds and nuts of Irvingia (Ndoye et al., 1997,Silou et al.,2004, Womeni et al.,2006 etc.). Sodium Flouride Toxicity Studies (Dabrowska et al., 2006; Zhan et al.,2006; Al Omireeni at al.,2010; and Anamika et al.,2012).

6. Aim Cont’d We had observed a hypolipidemic effect of the fruit juice of I. gabonensis on sodium fluoride induced dyslipidemia in rats (Emejulu et al.,2014). With increasing consumption of fluorides worldwide and particularly in our locality, the present study was designed to investigate the effect of Irvingia gabonensis juice on the liver and kidney of male Wistar rats exposed to sodium fluoride toxicity.

7. Experimental Design Twenty four healthy, male albino Wistar rats were divided into four groups of six (6) animals each and treated as follows: Group I - normal control (NC) - received standard pelletized diet and water ad libitum. Group II - intoxicated control (NaFC) - received standard diet and water ad libitum and NaF toxicant (20mg/kg b.wt) by gavage daily( Das(Sarkar) et al.,2006).

8. Group III - intoxicated Test (I.G) - received standard diet and I. gabonensis fruit juice (IG) ad libitum (supplemented with water), in addition to NaF toxicant (20mg/kg b.wt) daily. Group IV - intoxicated Standard (Q +Vit E) - received standard diet and water ad libitum, in addition to Quercetin (15mg/kg b.wt) + α-tocopherol (100mg/kg b.wt) and toxicant NaF (20mg/kg b.wt) daily. Experimental Design cont’d

9. Sample Collection and Analysis At the end of 35 days of intoxication and treatment, blood was collected by cardiac puncture and analyzed using standard methods for: ALT, AST, Bilirubin, Protein, Albumin, Total cholesterol, Urea, Creatinine, Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Calcium and magnesium. Commercial test kits sourced from Biosystem, Randox, UK and Teco, USA were used.

10. Results Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of phenolics, alkaloids, flavonoids, phytosterols, phenols, phlobatanin, tannins and saponins in I. gabonensis fruit juice.

11. Figure 1: Effect of I. gabonensis (IG) juice administration on ALT activity (IU/L) of male Wister albino rat administered 20mg/kg b.wt NaF for 35 days. Values are mean ± standard deviation of 6 determinations. a Significantly (p<0.05) different from Normal control (NC); b Significantly (p<0.05) different from sodium fluoride (NaF) control; c Significantly (p<0.05) different from I. gabonensis (IG) juice.

12. Figure 2: Effect of I. gabonensis (IG) juice administration on AST activity (IU/L) of male Wister albino rat administered 20mg/kg b.wt NaF for 35 days. Values are mean ± standard deviation of 6 determinations. a Significantly (p<0.05) different from Normal control (NC); b Significantly (p<0.05) different from sodium fluoride (NaF) control; c Significantly (p<0.05) different from I. gabonensis (IG) juice.

13. Figure 3: Effect of I. gabonensis (IG) juice administration on Total bilirubin concentration (g/L) of male Wister albino rat administered 20mg/kg b.wt NaF for 35 days. Values are mean ± standard deviation of 6 determinations. a Significantly (p<0.05) different from Normal control (NC); b Significantly (p<0.05) different from sodium fluoride (NaF) control; c Significantly (p<0.05) different from I. gabonensis (IG) juice.

14. Figure 4: Effect of I. gabonensis (IG) juice administration on Total Protein concentration (g/L) of male Wister albino rat administered 20mg/kg b.wt NaF for 35 days. Values are mean ± standard deviation of 6 determinations. a Significantly (p<0.05) different from Normal control (NC); b Significantly (p<0.05) different from sodium fluoride (NaF) control; c Significantly (p<0.05) different from I. gabonensis (IG) juice.

15. Figure 5: Effect of I. gabonensis (IG) juice administration on Albumin concentration (g/L) of male Wister albino rat administered 20mg/kg b.wt NaF for 35 days. Values are mean ± standard deviation of 6 determinations. a Significantly (p<0.05) different from Normal control (NC); b Significantly (p<0.05) different from sodium fluoride (NaF) control; c Significantly (p<0.05) different from I. gabonensis (IG) juice.

16. Figure 6: Effect of I. gabonensis (IG) juice administration on Total cholesterol concentration (mg/dl) of male Wister albino rat administered 20mg/kg b.wt NaF for 35 days. Values are mean ± standard deviation of 6 determinations. a Significantly (p<0.05) different from Normal control (NC); b Significantly (p<0.05) different from sodium fluoride (NaF) control; c Significantly (p<0.05) different from I. gabonensis (IG) juice.

17. Figure 7: Effect of I. gabonensis (IG) juice administration on Urea concentration (mg/dl) of male Wister albino rat administered 20mg/kg b.wt NaF for 35 days. Values are mean ± standard deviation of 6 determinations. a Significantly (p<0.05) different from Normal control (NC); b Significantly (p<0.05) different from sodium fluoride (NaF) control; c Significantly (p<0.05) different from I. gabonensis (IG) juice.

18. Figure 8: Effect of I. gabonensis (IG) juice administration on Creatinine concentration (mg/dl) of male Wister albino rat administered 20mg/kg b.wt NaF for 35 days. Values are mean ± standard deviation of 6 determinations. a Significantly (p<0.05) different from Normal control (NC); b Significantly (p<0.05) different from sodium fluoride (NaF) control; c Significantly (p<0.05) different from I. gabonensis (IG) juice.

19. Figure 9: Effect of I. gabonensis (IG) juice administration on Potassium concentration (mmol/L) of male Wister albino rat administered 20mg/kg b.wt NaF for 35 days. Values are mean ± standard deviation of 6 determinations. a Significantly (p<0.05) different from Normal control (NC); b Significantly (p<0.05) different from sodium fluoride (NaF) control; c Significantly (p<0.05) different from I. gabonensis (IG) juice.

20. Figure 10: Effect of I. gabonensis (IG) juice administration on Sodium concentration (mmol/L) of male Wister albino rat administered 20mg/kg b.wt NaF for 35 days. Values are mean ± standard deviation of 6 determinations. a Significantly (p<0.05) different from Normal control (NC); b Significantly (p<0.05) different from sodium fluoride (NaF) control; c Significantly (p<0.05) different from I. gabonensis (IG) juice.

21. Figure 11: Effect of I. gabonensis (IG) juice administration on Chloride concentration (mmol/L) of male Wister albino rat administered 20mg/kg b.wt NaF for 35 days. Values are mean ± standard deviation of 6 determinations. a Significantly (p<0.05) different from Normal control (NC); b Significantly (p<0.05) different from sodium fluoride (NaF) control; c Significantly (p<0.05) different from I. gabonensis (IG) juice.

22. Figure 12: Effect of I. gabonensis (IG) juice administration on Calcium concentration (mg/dl) of male Wister albino rat administered 20mg/kg b.wt NaF for 35 days. Values are mean ± standard deviation of 6 determinations. a Significantly (p<0.05) different from Normal control (NC); b Significantly (p<0.05) different from sodium fluoride (NaF) control; c Significantly (p<0.05) different from I. gabonensis (IG) juice.

23. Figure 13: Effect of I. gabonensis (IG) juice administration on Magnesium concentration (mg/dl) of male Wister albino rat administered 20mg/kg b.wt NaF for 35 days. Values are mean ± standard deviation of 6 determinations. a Significantly (p<0.05) different from Normal control (NC); b Significantly (p<0.05) different from sodium fluoride (NaF) control; c Significantly (p<0.05) different from I. gabonensis (IG) juice.

24. Conclusion NaF toxicity caused significant (p<0.05) increases in the markers of renal and hepatocellular damage, which were reduced by treatment with both I. gabonensis and the reference standard indicating potential protective effects of the fruit juice. The observed protective medicinal potential of the fruit juice may be attributed to the presence of beneficial secondary plant metabolites.

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