The health-protecting efficacy of four formulated plant-based diets on rats exposed to particulate organic matters (POPs)

The widespread of pollutants in our environment coupled with the failure of conventional pollution management strategies, has led to the search for effective individual-based solutions. This study evaluates the health-protecting efficacy of four formulated plant-based diets in the blood of albino rats exposed to particulate organic matters (POPs). Albino rats grouped into five containing 10 rats each were exposed to POPs at about 200 m from a dump site in Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria. Group one was the control and groups two through five formed the test rats. The gross morphology and the blood parameters of all the rats were measured before commencing the study and served as the baseline indices. The test rats were then fed ad libitum with plant-based diets containing basil, moringa turmeric, and cloves, respectively, for 3 weeks. The control rats received normal pelletized feeds without the formulated diets for the same duration. The rats were observed daily and at the end of the treatment, the blood parameters were measured again. The control rats significantly lost weight, while the test rats significantly gained weights. The control rats were anemic with lymphopenia and monocytosis, while the blood parameters of the test rats showed no abnormal condition. These findings showed the formulated diets protected the health of the exposed rats. As such, people are advised to include these tested plants in their diets to prevent or ameliorative the effects of pollutants