Persea americana (Avocado) Seed Could Ameliorate Lead Acetate Toxicity on Haematology, Cardiac and Hepatic Tissues
*1Department of Medical Biochemical and 2Department of Anatomy, School of Basic
1Agu, K. C. and 2 Innih, S. O.
Corresponding Author: chukwunonso.agu@unibe.edu
Recieved Date: December, 2020; Accepted Date: December, 2020; Published Date: December, 2020
ABSTRACT
Background: Avocado (Persea americana) has been reported to contain phytochemicals with
ethno-medicinal values; antioxidant, anti-hypertensive, bactericidal and bacteriostatic,
hypoglycaemic, larvicidal and fungicidal, hypocholesterolaemic properties, etc. Aim:
However, due to the scarcity of information about its possible potentials to ameliorate tissue
damage resulting from heavy metal toxicity, especially, cellular function perturbation by lead
(Pb), this experiment was carried out. Methods: Methanolic extract of the seed was obtained
(5 g% stock, w: v). Adult male albino Wistar rats where divided into six groups of six rats each;
group A was the control; groups B (33.00 mg/Kg) and C (16.60 mg/Kg) received only extract;
groups D and E were co-administered with Pb and extract (33.00 mg/Kg and 16.60 mg/Kg,
respectively); group F received only Pb. Blood and tissue samples were collected after twenty-
eight days for biochemical, hematological and histological analyses. Results: Findings
revealed that, white blood cell count (WBC) of group B and D did not vary significantly
compared to the control, but groups C, E and F increased significantly; plasma lymphocytes of
groups E and F increased significantly; plasma monocytes and granulocytes for groups B, C,
E and F increased, while group D decreased (p<0.01). Plasma malondialdehyde of group F
increased, but groups D and E decreased (p<0.01). Superoxide dismutase and catalase activities
of group F decreased, while groups D and E increased, significantly. The observations from
the tissue histology confirmed these plasma enzymatic and peroxidation profiles. Conclusion:
Thus, P. americana was able to ameliorate hepatic and cardiac lead-induced lesions.