Evaluation of Enzymatic Changes in Sublethal Cyanide Poisoning Wistar Rats Treated with Chromolaena odorata (Linn.) and Sodium Thiosulphate

Abstract

Cyanide remediation potential of plants is due to their ability to synthesize cyanogenic glucosides. Naturally, cyanogenic plants not only synthesize organic cyanides but are also imbue with efficient degradation potentiality. Example of such plants is Chromolaena odorata which is widely known to be effectively used as a therapy against several ailments. Recently, the plant has been employed in the remediation of cyanide from contaminated sites. Cyanide intoxication mediate pathologic effects on different tissues that precede alterations in biochemical parameters. The present study was aimed to evaluate the effects of sublethal cyanide exposure and ameliorative effects of sodium thiosulphate and ethanol Extract of Chromolaena odorata (ECO) administered singly and in combination on some enzyme activities in rats. Thirty five male rats were divided into seven groups. All test groups received potassium cyanide (KCN) at 7 mg/kg body weight; Control group:received distilled water daily for the experimental period. Cyanide group: received KCN at 7.0 mg/kg administered via gavage; KCN+100ECO group:received KCN and 100 mg/kg of ECO; KCN+150ECO group:received KCN and 150 mg/kg of ECO; KCN+200ECO group:received KCN and 200 mg/kg of ECO; KCN+Na2S2O3 group:received KCN and oral administration of sodium thiosulphate at 200 mg/kg; KCN+ECO+Na2S2O3 group:received KCN and oral administration of both sodium thiosulphate and ECO at 200 mg/kg. At the end of the experiment, activities of Rhodanese, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and superoxide dismutase were measured. Potassium cyanide administration caused alteration in the measured enzymes while sodium thiosulphate and Chromolaena odorata ethanol extracts relieved the alterations. Whereas, combination of the two regimen showed a synergistic effect. The altered tissue activities of some enzymes in the present study might reflect the metabolic disturbances due to cyanide intoxication. However, further research should be focused on this issue for better understanding of the fine mechanism of cyanide effects upon metabolic enzyme activities.