ABSTRACT
Aim:To determine the effect of pretreatment with aqueous leaf extract of Vitex donianaon the cytotoxic response of the antioxidant defence systems in the liver and kidneys of rats exposed to a mild dose of cadmium. Materials and Methods:Sixteen Male Wistar strain rats (180-220 g b.wt) were divided into four groups: Group A served as the control and rats were exposed to and maintained on a normal rat diet and tap water throughout study. Group B was maintained on a normal rat diet and then exposed to a single daily oral dose of cadmium (3 mg CdCl2/kg) in drinking water for five days. GroupsC were pretreated with 200 mg/kg Vitex donianaleaf extract for fifteen days and after that received a single daily oral dose of cadmium (3 mg CdCl2/kg) in drinking water for five days. Group D was exposed to only 200 mg/kg Vitex donianaleaf extract for fifteen days. At the end of the experiment membrane lipid peroxidation, glutathione contents and activities of antioxidant enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase, and cadmium content were determined in the liver and kidney samples.