Protective Effects of Hydro Alcoholic Extract of Sebestan (Cordia myxa) Fruit Against Cadmium-Induced Liver Toxicity in Adult Male Rats

Cadmium is a heavy metal with toxic effects on various organs, including liver, kidneys and testicles. In the present study, the protective effects of hydro alcoholic extract of sebestan (Cordia myxa) fruit on hepatic functional tests as well as its histological changes following cadmium chloride toxicity were investigated in adult male rats. 48 adult male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups of 8, as follows: The Control group, the sham group I received 2 mg/kg cadmium chloride, the sham group II received 125 mg/kg hydro alcoholic extract of sebestan fruit, the experimental group I, II and III received 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg extract for 21 days respectively followed by 14 days of 2mg/kg cadmium chloride administration. At the end of the 35-day period, blood samples were obtained and used for measuring serum concentrations of ALT, AST and ALP. The results were statistically analyzed using SPSS software, and ANOVA and Tukey tests; and P≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Mean serum levels of ALP, ALT and AST showed a significant increase in the sham I compared to the control and the sham II. Conversely, the mean concentrations of ALP, ALT and AST in the experimental group receiving Cordia extract (500 mg/kg) plus cadmium chloride showed a significant decrease relative to the group receiving cadmium chloride alone. It is concluded that Cordia fruit extract has a significant protective effect against liver toxicity induced by cadmium chloride.