Effect of Citrullus vulgaris on some functional indices of selected tissues of Wistar rats

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• 作者：Awakan OJ ; Johnson OE ; Awakan VA ; Adeyemi OS ; Oloyede O
• 关键词：Citrullus vulgaris ; Malondialdehyde ; Alanine transaminase ; Total protein ; Intestine
• 刊名：Comparative Clinical Pathology
• 出版年：2016
• 出版时间：November 2016
• 年：2016
• 卷：25
• 期：6
• 页码：1127-1132
• 全文大小：1,302 KB
• 刊物类别：Medicine
• 刊物主题：Medicine & Public Health
  Pathology
  Hematology
  Oncology
  
• 出版者：Springer London
• ISSN：1618-565X
• 卷排序：25

文摘

Citrullus vulgaris (watermelon) is a fruit with prophylactic and therapeutic potentials. In an attempt to maximize these potentials, the seed and rind are now often consumed together with the pulp. This study aimed at evaluating the implications of such consumption. Study involved the use of 35 Wistar rats grouped into seven with a control group administered distilled water, and the other groups administered varying concentrations of the pulp and whole fruit for 28 days. Alanine and aspartate aminotransferase (ALT, AST) were assayed in the serum and liver. Total protein of the serum and selected tissues was determined and malondialdehyde (MDA) level measured. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of steroids, saponin, alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenoids in both whole fruit and pulp. Significant increases (p < 0.05) were seen in the liver ALT levels while there was a decreased (p < 0.05) intestinal total protein in the treatment groups. No significant (p ˃ 0.05) difference was seen in the serum and pancreas MDA levels while an increased (p < 0.05) intestinal MDA level was observed. Increased liver ALT levels in all the treatment groups might be due to high glutamate levels of C. vulgaris. Decreased (p ˂ 0.05) intestinal total protein might be indicative of protein loss, while elevated (p < 0.05) intestinal MDA levels in the groups administered whole fruit is suggestive of a defect in absorption at the intestinal epithelium. Hence, whole fruit consumption of C. vulgaris should be done with caution as it has potential to cause intestinal oxidative stress.