Effects of Telfairia occidentalis and Ipomoea batatas on Biochemical and Antioxidant Assay of African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

Abstract

This toxicological study was carried out to determine possible adverse effects of Telfairia occidentalis and Ipomoea batatas leaves in Clarias gariepinus. Ninety-six Clarias gariepinus growers (431.25±6.13 g) randomly distributed into four feeding groups were fed with herbal leaf diet containing 20 g/kg of T. occidentalis (group A), 100 g/kg of I. batatas (group B), mixture of 10 g/kg of T. occidentalis and 50 g/kg I. batatas (group C) and basal diet (group D) which served as the control group. After a 40-day feeding period, blood samples were collected for serum biochemical assay and organs were harvested for antioxidant and tissue biochemical assay. A significant decrease in creatinine was observed in the fish in group C when compared with those in group D. Also, there was no significant difference in the liver superoxide dismutase activity across all feeding groups but no significant increase in the intestinal superoxide dismutase activity of the fish in group C when compared to those in group A. There were no significant differences in the values of liver enzyme markers and lipid profile across all feeding groups. However, a significant increase in the level of intestinal malondialdehyde was observed in the fish in group B when compared with those in groups A and D. This study revealed that oral administration of a combination of T. occidentalis (10 g/kg) and I. batatas (50 g/kg) leaves enhanced antioxidant enzymes and is recommended for protection against oxidative stress in Clarias gariepinus.