Modulating effect of aqueous extract of Telfairia occidentalis on induced cyanide toxicity in rats.

The effect of lyophilised aqueous extract of Telfairia occidentalis (TO) on induced cyanide toxicity in rats was investigated. Twenty 3-week old male wistar albino rats were randomly distributed into one control and three treatment groups of five rats each: control group (group1), group treated with 3mg/kg body wt of cyanide only (group2), group treated with 3mg/kg body wt. each of cyanide and extract (group3), and a group treated with 3mg/kg Body wt of extract only (group4) were used for the investigation. Cyanide toxicity reduced both food and water intake (p 0.05) in the organ/body wt.ratio between the treatments and the control groups for all the organs examined in the study. Biochemical analysis of liver enzymes showed that cyanide (group2) damaged the liver as there was significantly elevated presence (p<0.05) of Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Alanine aminotransferase (ALP) above those of the control group. The damaging effect of cyanide on the liver was ameliorated by Telfairia occidentalis considerably.Histopathological effect of cyanide toxicity on the organs examined included multifocal degeneration and necrosis of the liver, mild kidney congestion and congestion of the brain. These effects were moderated mildly by Telfairia occidentalis .  Group 4, treated with the vegetable alone had none of the observed histopathology in the organs examined. We concluded that lyophilised aqueous extracts of Telfairia occidentalis showed good potential as a safe antidote for cyanide poisoning when administered concomitantly or very shortly after ingestion of sub-lethal dose of cyanide. However, further bioassay guided fractionation and analytical studies are needed to identify the actual chemical compound or molecule in the vegetable responsible for or associated with the observed effects.