Impact of Cannabidiol oil and prednisolone on liver enzymes, oxidative stress markers and liver histology in cadmium induced toxicity in male Wistar rats

Background: This study aimed to ascertain the effect of cannabidiol (CBD) oil and prednisolone on serum liver enzyme markers and hepatic oxidative stress markers on cadmium-induced toxicity in male Wistar rats. Forty (40) male Wistar rats weighing between 150g to 200g were assigned into 8 groups (A-H) of five animals each. Group 1 served as control, Groups 2-8 received 1mg/kg body weight of prednisolone; 1.5mg/kg bw of cadmium; 1mg/kg bw of prednisolone + 0.2mg/kg bw of CBD-oil; 0.2mg/kg bw of CBD-oil + 2mg/kg bw of cadmium; 3mg/kg bw of prednisolone + 2mg/kg of cadmium; 0.1mg/kg bw of CBD-oil and 0.2mg/kg bw of CBD-oil respectively. The administration was done using an orogastric tube (gavage) for 14 days. Results revealed a significant decrease in the concentration of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in all treated groups compared to control. Furthermore, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) showed a significant (p<0.05) decrease in all treated groups compared to control. There was a significant decrease in the concentration of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in treated groups compared to the control. Liver catalase significantly increased in rats fed with pred +cadmium compared to control and other treated groups. Liver superoxide dismutase (SOD) significantly decreased in (p<0.05) the group treated with cadmium compared to the control and prednisolone groups. Liver malondialdehyde concentration did not reveal any significant change (p>0.05). Liver glutathione peroxidase significantly decreased in treated groups than in control. Liver-reduced glutathione significantly decreased across treated groups than the control. Histology of the liver revealed degeneration of hepatocytes and vascular congestion in groups treated with prednisolone, prednisolone+ cadmium, and CBD oil (0.2mg/kg). We conclude that CBD oil, prednisolone, and Cadmium administration at different doses decreased the concentration of serum liver enzyme and oxidative stress markers but caused local inflammation of the liver. If this study is applicable to humans, CBD-oil and prednisolone should be cautiously taken as they may likely present adverse effects, especially in people with liver disease.