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ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to determine the therapeutic effects of feeding Cocos nucifera l (coconut water) on the bioaccumulation of lead on the tissues of lead induced wistar rats. Forty eight (48) wistar rats with average body weight of 154g were randomly distributed into four groups with 12 rats in each group. Rats were fed with feed marsh, water and subsequent exposure to lead &coconut water were applied orally using a galvaging syringe. Group A were exposed to Lead Nitrate (PBNO3) only with concentration of 0.6g/l (4g/kg bwt), Group B were exposed to Lead Nitrate (PBNO3) and 2ml (15mg/kg bwt) of Cocos nucifera l. (coconut water), Group C were fed with 2ml of coconut water only and finally the healthy Control Group D. This lasted for a period of 12 weeks. At the end of every3 weeks interval after the first 2 weeks of acclimatization, the rats were weighed, anaesthetized using diethyl ether, sacrificed and the needed tissues (liver, kidney, gut and heart)collected for tissue concentration analysis. Result from the study shows significant difference (p<0.05) between the different Groups. Oral exposure to lead resulted in elevated levels of lead accumulation in the heart, gut, kidney and liver of Group A and Group B rats compared to the control Group D. Oral treatment with coconut water significantly lowered the lead concentration in the tissues of the Group B rats compared to the Group A. Also, exposure to lead decreased the weight of the Group A and Group B rats when compared to the control Group D while coconut water was also observed to remediate the weight loss effect. The Therapeutic effect of coconut water is because of its antioxidant and scavenging capabilities. The overall result confirms that, coconut water can reduce bioaccumulation of lead in the heart, gut, kidney and liver and also remediate the weight of Lead induced rats and thereby reducing the chances of lead toxicity in these tissues as such it is beneficial for remediating lead exposure
