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Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) is a pervasive environmental toxicant known to induce hepatotoxicity through oxidative stress. This study investigated the protective effect of a hydroethanolic extract of Citrullus lanatus (watermelon) rind against cadmium-induced liver damage in Wistar rats. Twenty five rats were divided into five groups: control, negative control (CdCl₂ only), Vitamin C, and two groups receiving C. lanatus extract (250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg). After 60 days, biochemical liver markers were analyzed. The negative control group showed elevated levels of AST, ALT, and total bilirubin, indicating hepatocellular injury. In contrast, treatment with the C. lanatus extract, particularly at 500 mg/kg, significantly ameliorated these alterations, bringing the enzyme and bilirubin levels closer to those of the control and Vitamin C groups. The extract also counteracted the growth-suppressive effect of cadmium, with treated groups showing significantly higher body weight gain. There were no significant changes in liver cadmium concentration or liver to body weight ratio across groups. This can imply that the hydroethanolic extract of C. lanatus rind possesses potent hepatoprotective properties against cadmium toxicity, likely mediated by its antioxidant phytoconstituents, which stabilize hepatocyte membranes and improve metabolic function without altering cadmium accumulation.
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