Effect of Cadmium on the Liver and Amelioration by Aqueous Extracts of Fenugreek Seeds, Rosemary, and Cinnamon in Guinea pigs: Histological and Biochemical Study

Abstract

Hepatotoxic agents can react with the basic cellular components and consequently induce almost all types of liver lesions. Objective: The present work aimed to evaluate effectiveness of fenugreek seeds, rosemary and cinnamon against cadmium induced hepatotoxicity in guinea pigs from the histological and biochemical aspects. Materials and methods: 48 guinea pigs were used for this study and divided into 8 groups. The first 4 groups were control groups, the 5 th group was the experimental and administered oral cadmium chloride at a dose of 5 mg/kg. body weight./day for 28 days, the 6 th , 7 th , and 8 th groups co-administered cadmium with aqueous extracts of fenugreek seeds, rosemary and cinnamon at a dose of 150 mg, 220 mg, and 200 mg/ kg body weight /day, respectively. The livers were dissected out, weighted and specimens were taken and processed for light microscopic examinations. Blood samples were obtained for assessment of serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyltransferase activities, and serum total and direct bilirubin. Results: In cadmium treated animals, there were severe structural damage in the liver. Most of hepatocytes appeared fused together forming eosinophilic syncytial masses. The hepatocytes appeared irregularly arranged with disorganization of hepatic architecture. The hepatocytes appeared large with light and foamy cytoplasm filled with numerous vacuole-like spaces. The nuclei appeared with pyknotic nuclei. The central vein appeared dilated and congested with massive hemorrhage extending to the nearby cells. Mild periductal fibrosis around bile duct in the portal area were observed. Also, there were focal degenerative and necrotic changes along with inflammatory cell infiltration. Decrease in body weight and increase in liver weight were observed. Biochemically, the serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase), and γ-glutamyltransferase activities, serum total and direct bilirubin were elevated. Co-adminstration of fenugreek, rosemary and cinnamon significantly improved the structural changes in the liver and also all the above mentioned biochemical parameters were significantly declined. Conclusion: It can be concluded that, the cadmium had adverse effects on the liver. Aqueous extracts of different natural materials as Fenugreek, rosemary and cinnamon were able to attenuate these effects. So, the populations of high risk to cadmium should be advised to take one of these materials.

Possible Hypocholesterolemic Effect of Ginger and Rosemary Oils in Rats

“…These results are in agreement with Bolanle [2011] who reported that A significant increase (P<0.05) was observed in the activity of liver enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP) of hypercholesteremic rats when compared with normal control while a significant decrease (P<0.05) was observed when comparing the hypercholesterolemia rats with the group of rats treated with ginger powder at 5% and 10% level and a similar result was reported by Al-Naqeeb [2003] who reported that the administration of aqueous extract of ginger to rats, orally and intraperitoneally, at two different levels of doses, significantly decreased the activities of some serum enzymes such as (AST) and (ALT). Also, these results are in agreement with Albasha and Azab [2014] who reported that aqueous extract of rosemary has significantly decreased the release of AST. This may be due to the hypercholesterolemia diet could have caused deposition of fats in the hepatocytes which may lead to damage of the cells and hence leakage.…”

Protective Potential of Quercetin on Cd-Induced Hepatorenal Damage

“…In the present study, the activities of SOD, CAT, and GP X were decreased in the liver and kidney of Cd-treated rats. This comes in agreement with many reports [11,38]. SOD activity is strongly inhibited by Cd, probably by interacting with metal moieties of SOD (Cu, Zn, or Mn) and thus reducing activity.…”

“…The exposure to Cd chloride significantly lowered the concentrations of total protein and albumin compared with concentration values obtained for the control group (Table 2). Similar observations were reported in many experimental investigations on animals exposed to Cd [11,24]. The increased levels of studied enzymes in Cd-induced rats indicate an increased permeability and damage and/or necrosis of hepatocytes [9], which increase the release of these enzymes in the bloodstream [25].…”

“…In kidney it causes an increase in urea, uric acid, and creatinine [10]. Histologically, treatment with Cd causes severe damage, including fatty changes, necrosis, pyknotic nuclei, karayolysis, and proliferation of kupffer cells [11]. In kidney it causes shrinkage or regeneration of cells of the renal tubules, pyknoric nuclei, and haemorage [12].…”

Prevention of Nephropathy by Some Natural Sources of Antioxidants

“…However, the natural antioxidant system may not always be equal to the task [15]. Natural antioxidants strengthen the endogenous antioxidant defenses from reactive oxygen species and restore the optimal balance by neutralizing reactive species [16] [17] [18] [19]. The antioxidant activities of phenolics are related to a number of different mechanisms, such as free radical-scavenging, hydrogen-donation, singlet oxygen quenching, metal ion chelation, and acting as a substrate for radicals such as superoxide and hydroxyl [20].…”