Effects of Organic Turmeric Supplemented in Rabbits Diet on the Recovery of the Structural Integrity of Liver after Exposure to Ultraviolet Radiation

ABSTRACT

This project investigated the effects of organic turmeric-supplemented-diet for rabbits on the recovery of the structural integrity of liver after exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Thirty five weaned rabbits between 8-10 weeks of age, randomly allocated to a control (A) and five (5) treatments: B, C, D, E and F were used for this experiment. Group A: fed organic feed without turmeric inclusion and not radiated, Group B: fed diet supplemented with 2% turmeric as its constituents but not radiated, Group C: fed organic feed without turmeric inclusion before but after radiation, Group D: fed organic feed without turmeric inclusion before and after radiation. Group E: fed diet supplemented with 2% turmeric before but not after radiation. Group F: fed diet supplemented with 2% turmeric before and after radiation. Histological studies reveals that the groups radiated showed structural differences from the control. Liver section in Group D showed portal triad infiltrated by lymphocytes with less vacuolar degeneration, indicating a damaging effect of radiation. The liver damage was mild in Groups C and E, indicating the hepatoprotective properties of turmeric fed before in group C and after radiation in group E. The histology of rabbits in Group A and F revealed normal liver hepatocytes and portal triad. Rabbits in Group B showed mild vacuolar degeneration with focal necrosis of hepatocyte, especially around central veins. It was concluded that ultraviolet (UV) radiation has detrimental effect on the liver and organic turmeric had hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties.

Keyword: Rabbits, Ultraviolet Radiation, Organic Turmeric, Liver