E. O. IMAFIDON

Environmental toxicants, such as arsenic, pose significant health risks, particularly to vital organs like the kidneys. As key organs responsible for filtration and detoxification, the kidneys are especially vulnerable to the oxidative stress and inflammation caused by arsenic exposure. Inorganic arsenic, a highly toxic form found in contaminated water, food, and soil, accumulates in kidney tissues, leading to cellular damage, impaired function, and an increased risk of chronic kidney disease and other renal disorders. The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by arsenic disrupts cellular homeostasis, damages mitochondrial function, and triggers proinflammatory responses, exacerbating kidney injury. Nutrient-rich foods like Persea americana offer a potential protective strategy against arsenic-induced kidney damage. Persea americana are abundant in antioxidants, phenolic compounds, and unsaturated fatty acids that combat oxidative stress, reduce inflammation, and enhance cellular resilience. These bioactive compounds help neutralize ROS, improve mitochondrial
function, and mitigate arsenic's toxic effects on kidney tissues, supporting overall renal health and function. Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of Persea americanaon arsenic-induced kidney damage in fully-grown Wistar rats. Thirty (30) fully-grown Wistar rats were used weighing between 130g and 150g. They were grouped into six groups (A, B, C, D, E, and F). The rats in Group A served as the control, and the rats in Group B were administered10mg/kg of Arsenic Trioxide, the rats in Group C were administered 140mg/kg body weight ofSilymarin and 10mg/kg of arsenic trioxide, the rats in Group D were administeredwith125mg/kg of Persea americana and 10mg/kg of arsenic trioxide, the rats in Group Ewere administered with 250mg/kg of Persea americana and 10mg/kg of arsenic trioxide and the rats in Group F were administered with 10mg/kg of arsenic trioxide for 14 days and allowed to recover. The administration period spanned 28 days after which they were sacrificed and the kidneys harvested were collected for biochemical and histological assessments. Results showed no significant difference (p>0.05) in the kidney weight, and Reno-somatic index across the experimental groups, there was a significant decrease in the weight of the group treatedwith10mg/kg of arsenic trioxide compared to the control group. In the case of the oxidative stress parameters arsenic, caused a is significant decrease in SOD, and GPX activities and a significant
increase in MDA activities when compared with control while treatment group was able to reverse these significant changes except for the recovery group. For the urea and creatinine level, there was a significant increase in the groups given 10mg/kg of arsenic trioxide and the group that was given 10mg/kg of arsenic trioxide and left to recover. The other groups had no significant difference in the urea and creatinine level when compared to the control group. Inconclusion, this study suggests that Persea americana provides protection against arsenic trioxide-induced nephrotoxicity in Wistar rats.

Arsenic trioxide is a highly toxic form of arsenic used in both medical treatments and as an environmental pollutant, particularly affecting organs like the spleen. The spleen plays a crucial role in filtering the blood, storing red blood cells, and supporting the immune system. Thus, exposure of the spleen to heavy metal toxicity (particulary arsenic) results in a range of adverse effects, including, oxidative stress, immune dysfunction, and cellular damage. Persea americana seed are rich source of lipid, proteins, vitamins, minerals and health related bioactive properties such as such as anti-hyperglycaemic, anticancer, anti-hypercholesterolemia, antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and anti- neurogenerative effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective potential of aqueous Persea americana seed extract on arsenic trioxide induced spleen damage in Wistar rats. Thirty adult Wistar rats were randomly placed in SIX (6). Group A served as the Control group; group B was given 10mg/kg of arsenic trioxide for 7 days and was sacrifice, in order to be sure arsenic trioxide has an effect on the organ; group C was given 140mg/kg body weight of Silymarin + 10mg/kg of arsenic trioxide; group D was given 125mg/kg body of Persea americana + 10mg/kg of arsenic trioxide; group E was given 250mg/kg body of Persea americana + 10mg/kg of arsenic trioxide; group F was given 10mg/kg of arsenic trioxide for 7 days and allowed to recover. The administration lasted for 28 days after which they were sacrificed under chloroform anaesthesia and the spleen was harvested for biochemical and histological assessments. Results showed that arsenic trioxide significantly decreased (p<0.05) body weight, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity while significantly increasing (p<0.05) malondialdehyde concentration. Histological assessment also showed severely increased red cell sequestration and follicular hypertrophy in rats, given arsenic trioxide only. However, rats given arsenic trioxide and graded dose of persea Americana seed extract as well as standard drugs still showed follicular atrophy and marked red cell sequestration. Also the one given arsenic for 7 days and left to recover for the rest 21 days, showed no sign of recovery. Pearse americana seed does not have a protective effect against arsenic trioxide induced damage in the spleen. In conclusion, this study provides histological evidence demonstrating that persea americana seed extract could not alleviate the effect of the damage caused by arsenic trioxide on
the spleen