Assessing the effect of cadmium and Hibiscus sabdariffa calyx extract on the organ gravimetry and lipid profile of the liver and serum of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

Abstract

Toxicity of cadmium to all lives especially the aquatic life cannot be quantified due to their deleterious effect usually caused as a result of their incessant and uncontrollable discharged into the aquatic environment. The present study was undertaken to assess the effect of cadmium and Hibiscus Sabdariffa Calyx Extract on the Organ Gravimetry and Lipid Profile of the Liver and Serum of African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus). Forty juvenile catfish were divided into four groups containing ten fish with average weight 170 ± 2kg per group [Group A, Control (–HSCE – Cd), Group B (+HSCE), Group C (+Cd) and Group D (+HSCE + Cd)]. Group B and D were administered a daily dose of 40ml/kg body weight of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyx extracts (HSCE) (0.25%v/v) for 14 days while groups C and D were exposed to the same dose containing 0.3 mg of Cd/L daily for 14 days. The result shows that there was significant decrease (p<0.05) in the liver total- and LDL- cholesterol of fish exposed to HSCE and HSCE + Cd treated groups when compared to control and cadmium treated group. The triglycerides concentration of liver and serum was significantly increased (p<0.05) in fish exposed to cadmium when compared to the control and HSCE + Cd treated group respectively. SOD activity was significantly increase (p<0.05) in the serum of catfish exposed to Cd when compared to control. However, the liver-body weight ratio was significantly decreased in Cd and Cd + HSCE treated groups relative to the control. It is evident from the result obtained in this study that HSCE has protective effect against cadmium intoxicated fish (Clarias gariepinus).