ABSTRACT
Lead is a multisystemic toxicant when it accumulates and is hazardous to health. This study was conducted to determinethe effect of Caulerpa lentillifera aqueous extract on lead accumulation in the internal organs and liver functions oflead-intoxicated rats. Sprague Dawley rats (n = 24) were divided into four groups (n = 6). Group I was healthy ratstreated with saline (2 ml/kg bwt) daily for 28 days. Group II was healthy rats treated with C. lentillifera aqueousextract (500 mg/kg bwt) daily for 28 days. Group III was intoxicated with lead acetate (20 mg/kg bwt) daily for 4 daysand then treated with saline (2 ml/kg bwt) for another 24 days. Group IV was intoxicated with lead acetate (20 mg/kgbwt) daily for 4 days and then treated with C. lentillifera aqueous extract (500 mg/kg bwt) for another 24 days. Leadaccumulation in the internal organs was measured by the atomic absorption spectrophotometer and the liver functionmarkers were determined using assay kits. Lead intoxication significantly (p < 0.05) increased lead accumulation inthe rats’ internal organs and affected their liver functions. C. lentillifera aqueous extract supplementation to leadintoxicated rats significantly (p < 0.05) decreased lead accumulation in the rats’ internal organs and protected theirliver functions. This study concludes that C. lentillifera aqueous extract possesses the capability of a chelating agentand attenuates the effect of lead on lead-intoxicated rats