ASSESSMENT OF PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF ALMOND SEED AND VITAMIN E SUPPLEMENTATION ON KIDNEY AND LIVER OF RATS EXPOSED TO PARACETAMOL TOXICITY

Paracetamol, a widely available analgesic and antipyretic drug has been reported to cause toxicity when taken in overdose. This study investigated the protective effects of almond seeds and vitamin E on liver and kidney of rats exposed to paracetamol toxicity. Fifty- one (51) male albino rats grouped into nine (9) groups (A-I) were used for this study. Groups A, B and C served as normal control, post-treatment control and pre-treatment control respectively. Groups D, E and F are the post-treatment test groups while groups G, H and I are the pre-treatment test groups. The various test groups in both the post-treatment and the pre-treatment groups were given almond seeds, vitamin E and combined treatment by oral gavage for 14 days. Three kilogram (3g/kg) body weight (b.w) of paracetamol were used to induce hepatorenal toxicity in the paracetamol control and test groups of the post-treatment groups on day 1 before commencement of treatment while paracetamol control and test groups of the pre-treatment groups were induced on day 14 after treatment. The animals were sacrificed on day 15. Renal and liver indices investigated were Laboratory (Urea and Creatinine) and (AST, ALT and ALP). The result showed that oral administration of 3g/kg b.w paracetamol caused a significant increase in renal indices and liver enzymes in rats. Post-treatment result showed that almond group (group D) significantly reduced LDL and increased SOD level. Vitamin E (group E) showed no significant difference in all parameters. The combined treatment (group F) significantly reduced ALT levels. Pre-treatment results revealed that almond (group F) significantly reduced Ureaand ALP. Vitamin E (group H) significantly reduced Urea, Creatinine, AST, ALT and ALP. Combined treatment (group I) significantly reduced Urea, Creatinine, AST, ALT and ALP. Hence from the results, it is concluded that pre-treatment with almond, vitamin E and their combination have potentials in preventing hepaticand nephrotoxic damage induced by paracetamol overdose.