Hepatoprotective Effects of Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schmach & Thonn) Taub, and Vitamin C on Plasma Enzyme Activities and Histopathological Alterations in Cadmium-Induced Wistar Rats


Trends in Natural Products Research

Hepatoprotective Effects of Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schmach & Thonn) Taub, and Vitamin C on Plasma Enzyme Activities and Histopathological Alterations in Cadmium-Induced Wistar Rats

Gregory Elayeche Oko1*, Micheal Ukpang Ajen1, Chibuzor Onyinye Okonkwo1,
Chidiebere Ogar Ubah2, Christopher Abubu Odey3, Vo Thi Kim Khuyen4, Godwin Eneji Egbung1

  1. Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Nigeria.
  2. Department of Anatomical Sciences, College of Nursing Science, Calabar, Nigeria.
  3. Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Nigeria.
  4. Department of Analytical Chemistry and Drug Quality Control, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, School of Pharmacy; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

 

Key words: Cadmium toxicity, Vitamin C, Tetrapleura tetraptera, Hepatoprotection, Plasma Enzymes

 

*Corresponding Author: oko@unical.edu.ng
DOI:https://doi.org/10.61594/tnpr.v7i1.2026.151

 

Page No: 16–24
Volume: 7, Issue 1, 2026
Trends in Natural Products Research
Copy Right: NAPREG

 

Abstract


Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic heavy metal associated with oxidative stress, hepatocellular injury, and disruption of enzymatic antioxidant defense. This study investigated the hepatoprotective effects of Vitamin C and Tetrapleura tetraptera (TT) extract on plasma enzyme activities and liver histopathology in Cd-intoxicated Wistar rats.


Thirty-five male albino rats were divided into five groups and administered the test substances orally for 28 days. Cd exposure significantly elevated plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, indicating hepatic injury. Histopathological analysis revealed hepatocellular degeneration, sinusoidal congestion, and portal inflammation in the Cd-treated rats.


Co-treatment with Vitamin C markedly reduced ALT and AST activities and ameliorated histological damage, demonstrating partial hepatoprotection. TT at 100 mg/kg offered moderate protection, whereas TT at 200 mg/kg produced significant improvements comparable to Vitamin C, with near-normal hepatic architecture and reduced inflammatory infiltrates.


These findings support the therapeutic potential of Tetrapleura tetraptera as a natural hepatoprotective agent against heavy metal-induced toxicity and suggest its possible application as a complementary or alternative strategy to synthetic antioxidants.