Assessment of Ameliorative Role of Citrullus vulgaris (Schrad) Seeds on Caffeine-induced Hepatic and Renal Dysfunction in Male Wistar Rats

Caffeine is the most widely consumed psychoactive drug in the world. It is often marketed for its physical and cognitive performance benefits. Unlike many other psychoactive substances, it is legal and unregulated in nearly all parts of the world. The ingestion of potentially toxic amounts of caffeine in the forms of energy drinks, over-the-counter supplements, addiction or use of anhydrous caffeine products places individuals at risk for accidental overdose. An overdose of this drug is not without its attendant consequences on the liver and the Kidney. This study therefore aimed at evaluating the possible hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects of Citrullus vulgaris seed extracts on caffeine induced toxicity. Thirty (30) male Wistar rats were divided into five groups. They were induced with caffeine (100 mg/kg) and treated with graded doses (100, 300 and 500 mg/ kg bwt.) of aqueous seeds extract of C. vulgaris for 21 days. The plasma activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were determined and the concentrations of total protein, albumin, total bilirubin, creatinine and urea were estimated. Electrolytes (sodium, calcium, potassium and magnesium ion) were also estimated. Plasma lipid profiling (total cholesterol, triacylglyceride, high density lipoprotein (HDL), Low density lipoprotein (LDL) was carried out and the liver and kidney of the rats were examined for histopathological changes. The results showed that administration of aqueous seeds extract of Citrullus vulgaris restored the levels of the plasma enzymes, blood proteins, urea and creatinine as well as the levels of electrolytes close to normal control levels which were significantly altered by caffeine intoxication, Photomicrographs sections of the liver and kidney showed that the aqueous seeds extract of Citrullus vulgaris was able to repair damage to organs caused by caffeine-intoxication. The study concluded that the aqueous seeds extract of C. vulgaris possesses ameliorative potential against hepatic and renal damage that arises from caffeine-intoxication.