Effect of Tamarindus indica leaf powder on plasma concentrations of copper, zinc, and iron in fluorotic cows

Abstract

Aim:The main objective of the study was to determine the deleterious effect of fluoride on plasma trace minerals of fluorotic cattle and to evaluate the effect of Tamarindus indica leaf powder toward correction of the same.Materials and Methods:A total of 30 cattle exhibiting chronic sign of fluorosis and 10 healthy cattle from nonfluorotic area were incorporated in this study. Fluorotic cattle were divided into three equal groups consisting of 10 cattle each. Group I from fluoride free area served as healthy control. The Group II received no treatment and served as disease control. Groups III and IV were supplemented with tamarind leaf powder at 15 g and 30 g/day with feed for 60 days. Plasma mineral status was evaluated after 60 days of treatment with double beam atomic absorption spectrophotometer.Results:Statistical analysis of data revealed a significant (p<0.05) decrease in mean plasma copper (Cu) (0.344±0.007 ppm), zinc (Zn) (0.692±0.06 ppm), and iron (Fe) concentration (1.100±0.01 ppm) in fluorotic cattle in comparison to healthy cattle (0.58±0.010, 2.342±0.04, 1.406±0.04 ppm, respectively). Significant (p<0.05) increase in Cu, Zn, and Fe was recorded after supplementation of tamarind leaf powder to the fluorotic cattle.Conclusion:It was concluded that fluorotic cattle might be supplemented with T. indica leaf powder with feed for the correction of the decreased level of certain plasma minerals.

Mitigating Fluoride, Lead, Arsenic and Cadmium Toxicities in Laboratory Animals and Ruminants through Natural Products

“…Hence, they can readily bind to biological molecules such as cations, proteins, and enzymes to form stable and strong bonds [105]. For instance, as fluoride is highly electronegative with a strong affinity towards electropositive elements, it binds with calcium, reducing their absorption and causing dental fluorosis and skeletal fluorosis [7]. Moreover, fluoride has been reported to bind to other divalent cations and inhibit many enzymes involved in the pentose phosphate pathway, antioxidant defense system, and myosin-ATPase activity [8,106].…”

“…Additionally, its beneficial ameliorative effects against fluorosis in laboratory animals was reported [112,113]. Recent studies have tested its effects in fluorotic cattle [7,119]. Gupta et al [119] reported that the supplementation of fluorotic cattle with 100 g of dried powder of Tamarindus indica fruit pulp for 90 days, resulted in a significant increase in serum calcium and alkaline phosphatase levels, and a decrease in urinary hydroxyproline compared to fluorotic cattle not supplemented [119].…”

“…Gupta et al [119] reported that the supplementation of fluorotic cattle with 100 g of dried powder of Tamarindus indica fruit pulp for 90 days, resulted in a significant increase in serum calcium and alkaline phosphatase levels, and a decrease in urinary hydroxyproline compared to fluorotic cattle not supplemented [119]. Furthermore, it was shown that chronic fluoride intoxication caused a significant decrease in plasma copper, zinc and iron concentration in cattle, while these parameters were increased in fluoridated cattle supplemented with dried powder of Tamarindus indica fruit pulp [7].…”

“…Furthermore, the ingestion and/or inhalation of these toxic elements can cause several adverse effects on the animal body, influencing its performance, and resulting in socioeconomic problems. Moreover, these pollutants lead to irreversible toxic effects [7,8]. Accordingly, to facilitate the understanding of the toxicity mechanisms of these poisonings and to highlight preventive solutions, several studies have been performed first on laboratory animals and then on ruminants.…”

“…However, these synthetic chelators have toxic effects [10,8]. Recently, research have been directed towards the use of natural biomolecules originating from medicinal plants, rich in natural minerals which can chelate these environmental pollutants, and contain a wide range of antioxidants that can reduce the oxidative stress [7,8]. This review focuses on investigating the sources, the harmful effects, and the mechanisms of fluoride, lead, arsenic, and cadmium toxicities in both laboratory animals and ruminants.…”