Abstract:
Cadmium (Cd) is a major concern of World Health Organization for public health and is a highly toxic element which is naturally present in all parts of the environment. Watermelon contributes nutritional agents as antioxidants and some specific amino acid. Aloe vera plants contain cell wall carbohydrates such as cellulose and hemicellulose and storage carbohydrates such as acetylated mannans. The aim of this study was to observe the antioxidant property of watermelon and aloe vera against cadmium effect on glycogen deposition in the heart using Periodic Acid Schiff stain (PAS). Thirty five Wistar rats were obtained and acclimatized for two weeks. They were divided into 7 groups, five rats each. Group 1 normal control received 3 mg/kg/bw of phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) intraperitoneally. Group 2, received 3 mg/kg/bw of Cd (3CdSO4.8H2O) intraperitoneally. Group 3 (therapeutic control) received 100 mg/kg/bw of vitamin C and 300 mg/kg/bw of vitamin E orally once daily. Group 4 (therapeutic control and induced) received same as group3 with Cd induction intraperitoneally two days before sacrifice. Group 5, 6 and 7 treatment groups were induced with 3 mg/kg/bw of Cd intraperitoneally before treatment with 80 mg/kg/bw of watermelon, 80 mg/kg/bw of aloe vera and 40 mg/kg/bw of both extract orally and twice daily respectively. The experiment lasted for 4weeks. The result obtained showed normal glycogen deposition in group 1, reduced glycogen deposition in group 2, decreased glycogen deposition in group 5, 6 and 7 but better than animal in group 2, presence of glycogen deposition in groups 3, 4 even after Cd administration. The result from the study shows that cadmium is capable of greatly reducing glycogen deposition in the heart. Watermelon and aloe vera extracts show potency in ameliorating the effect of cadmium in induced heart as in the case of therapeutic drugs, vitamin C and Vitamin E.
