Advanced Journal of Chemistry Research

Lima beans (Phaseolus lunatus L) are recognized, vining leguminous plant with cyanide constituent. The effects of Lima beans cyanide on the glutathione (GSH) level and liver damage enzymes like Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALP) and Alkaline phosphate (ALP) were investigated. Twenty-four (24) self-breed male albino Wistar rats were adopted for this study. The control (group 1) had 12 rats and the test animals categorized as groups 2-4 had 4 rats each. Test rats were fed for 21 days with a Lima beans diet containing 47.5 mg Cyanidekg^-1 diet meal and a 10% protein supplement. Animal sacrifice was conducted thrice (on the 7day, 14day and 21day).  After an overnight fast, animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation.  Biochemical analysis was conducted with urine and serum. The urine and serum cyanide and thiocyanate levels revealed a significant difference (p<0.05) between the test and the control groups. The mean serum and urinary cyanide (CN) were 2.51±3.70 and 22.49±1.18 μg mL^-1 after 7 days; 7.77±3.56 and 29.32±3.10 μg mL^-1 after 14 days; and 9.88±7.22 and 31.50±3.88 μg mL^-1 after 21 days, respectively. Mean serum and urinary thiocyanate (SCN) were 14.86±0.61 and 36.59±1.66 μg mL^-1 after 7 days; 15.08±0.94 and 39.13±1.77 μg mL^-1 after 14 days; 19.64±0.87 and 43.07±2.31 μg mL^-1 after 21 days, respectively. A progressive depletion in blood glutathione level by 41%, 54% and 72% (after 7, 14 and 21 days, respectively) compared to control, was observed. Increases in serum activity of ALT (172%), AST (112%) and ALP (93%) were quantified after 21 days of Phaseolus lunatus dieting. Total bilirubin level was elevated in the test animals, while total protein and albumin levels remained unchanged from normal. Significantly, this study elucidates that cyanide toxicity from diet intake or other sources might be conciliated via antioxidant depletion such as glutathione and increased liver damage biomarkers.