Recuperative Action of Aqueous Carica papaya Extract on Cadmium Induced Loss of Nissl Bodies in the Frontal Cortex

Background: Cadmium is a heavy metal that causes generation of free radicals that have been discovered to cause damage to cells and tissues in the body. This research work examined the damaging effects of cadmium, and the recuperative effect of Carica papaya aqueous extract to restore normal cell functioning.

Methods: 30 Wistar rats (70 g-190 g) were used for this research. The rats were randomly selected into six groups of five animals each. A single dose of 3CdSO4.8H2O 3 mg/kg body weight were administered intraperitoneally to four of these groups against control group not exposed to Cadmium. Two groups were treated with different doses of Carica papaya fruit extract for the period of four weeks. A group was given Vit. C and Vit. E as prophylactic treatment. After four weeks, the rats were sacrificed and organ excised, weighed and fixed for histological processing and stained with Cresyl fast violet stain. The photomicrographs of the normal control, induced control and treated groups were observed and compared for changes and differences.

Results: The findings showed that rats damaged with cadmium stained with low Cresyl dye intensive affinity coloration compared to the normal control group indicative of degeneration and loss of Nissl bodies, this suggest possible alteration in protein synthesis necessary for proper cell functioning. While the treated groups showed a higher Cresyl dye intensity affinity of colour.

Conclusion: Carica papaya can help restore the presence and functioning of Nissl bodies in the cell.