Protective effect of <i>Haloxylon salicornicum</i> on hepatic and renal functions of Wistar rats exposed to aluminium

Abstract

Aluminium is present in some manufactured medicines and foods. It is known that aluminium causes oxidative stress. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of Haloxylon salicornicum extract in modulating aluminium chloride (AlCl₃) induced oxidative stress in rats. Male rats (40 to 50 g) were divided into four groups of six animals each. The experimental protocol was based on the administration of AlCl₃ (30 mg/kg/body weight) intraperitoneally (ip) every 5 days for 15 days. The groups treated with the plant receive daily dose of 0.05 g/kg/body weight. Increased level of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), urea, and creatinine in serum indicated hepatic and renal dysfunction. The variation of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), and lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, TBARS) were assessed. These parameters indicated the extent of oxidative damage in liver and kidney, thus confirming the histology results in liver and kidney. It was found that the consumption of H. salicornicum extract protects the liver and kidney against aluminium chloride toxicity. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effect of the H. salicornicum extract on the damages caused by administration of aluminium chloride (AlCl₃) in young rats.

Keywords: Aluminum chloride, Wistar rats, Haloxylon salicornicum, lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione, catalase