The Protective Role of Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) in Lead Acetate InducedToxicity in Rats

摘要

Lead intoxication may initiate many disorders in human and animals. This study was carried to investigate the role of aqueous extract of rosemary in protecting rats against lead acetate (Pb-acetate)-induced toxicity in male rats. When adult male rats were injected intraperitonealy with Pb-acetate (15 mg/kg) daily for7days, the erythrocytes count, haematocrite value and haemoglobin concentration were decreased. The count of total leucocytes and lymphocytes in the blood was reduced, while neutrophiles were significantly elevated in Pbacetate treated rats when compared with the control rats. Moreover lead-induced elevation in serum ALT, AST, ALP and GGT activities with concomitant elevation in serum creatinine and urea levels as compared to the control rats. Oxidative stress was also increased in hepatic and renal tissues as indicated by increased malondialdehyde level and decreased antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, catalase and reduced glutathione). Furthermore, acute lead intoxication caused histopathological changes in both liver and kidney. Pre-treatment with rosemary extract at a dose of 1000 mg/kg b.wt for 5 consecutive days protected albino rats against the Pbacetate induced injury as indicated by the improvement in the heamatological parameters and the reduction of the indices of liver and kidney damage, lipid peroxidation product and the elevation of antioxidants. Rosemary also exhibited some improvement in the histological architecture of liver and kidney. Thus, this study suggests the potent role of rosemary in management of injury-induced by lead exposure and this effect could be attributed to its antioxidant activity.