Effects of Maize Cob (Zea May) on Nickel Induced Liver Toxicity in Female Wistar Rat

Abstract

Corncobs are increasingly being utilized in food production, ground into flour for bread-making and as a stabilizer in edible oils, enhancing their acceptance in global markets. This study aims to assess the impact of corncob ash on liver function in Wistar rats subjected to nickel-induced liver toxicity. Six groups of five Wistar rats each were organized into control and test groups: Nickel only, Nickel + 300 mg/kg Corncob Ash, Nickel + 450 mg/kg Corncob Ash, Nickel + 600 mg/kg Corncob Ash, 450 mg/kg Corncob Ash only, and a control group with no treatment. The treatments were administered orally for 28 days, after which the animals were sacrificed, and blood samples collected. Liver function markers—Aspartate transaminase (AST), Alanine transaminase (ALT), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Total and Conjugated Bilirubin, Total Protein, and Albumin—were a n a l y z e d u s i n g R e i t m a n - F r a n k e l , Phenolphthalein Monophosphate, Jendrassik-Grof, Biuret, and Bromocresol green methods, respectively. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 25. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed in AST activity (U/L) across the groups, with values of 32.00±3.46 (control), 49.33±2.60 (Nickel), 58.66±4.40 (Nickel + 300 mg/kg), 40.66±1.45 (Nickel + 450 mg/kg), 35.33±1.45 (Nickel + 600 mg/kg), and 33.33±0.88 (450 mg/kg Corncob Ash). ALT activity (U/L) also showed significant variation, with values of 13.00±1.15, 20.00±1.15, 18.10±0.49, 23.33±0.88, 17.00±0.58, and 17.00±0.58 across respective groups. Total Protein (g/L) levels of 71.00±0.58, 70.00±1.15, 63.33±1.76, 65.00±1.15, 70.00±1.15, and 74.33±1.20 and Albumin (g/L) of 44.66±0.88, 44.00±1.45, 41.00±0.58, 41.66±0.88, 45.00±1.15, and 46.00±1.52 were significantly different (P < 0.05). Total Bilirubin (µmol/L) was also significantly altered with values of 6.73±0.43, 8.46±0.14, 11.43±0.44, 8.00±0.36, 6.96±0.26, and 6.73±0.14, along with conjugated Bilirubin (µmol/L) at 4.23±0.26, 5.43±0.35, 7.46±0.43, 5.03±0.39, 4.93±0.42, and 4.16±0.20 across the groups. No significant difference (P > 0.05) was noted in ALP activities, with values of 54.00±0.57, 56.66±0.88, 2.17±0.48, 53.33±1.45, 53.33±0.88, and 54.00±1.15 across the control and treatment groups. These findings indicate that corncob ash may have a modulating effect on certain liver function parameters in nickel-induced toxicity, depending on the administered dose.