ABSTRACT
Lead is toxic even in low dose, causes both chronic and acute intoxication. Therefore this study aimed to investigate the effect of plants, tomato [Lycopersium esculentum] against lead toxicity in male rats. Five groups of animals was used in this study, the first group received a basal diet and served as negative control, the second group received basal diet supplemented with lead acetate [0.05mg/kg] as positive control. The other three groups received basal diet supplemented with lead acetate [0.05mg/kg] and 1%, 3% and 5% tomatoes for 30 days. The results revealed that positive control gave a significant increase in alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate minotransferase [AST], glutathione-S-transferase [GST], alkaline phosphatase [ALP] activities, creatinine and urea; significantly depleted glutathione content [GSH], total protein [TP] and albumin. These results indicate the toxicity of lead on liver and kidney. However tomatoe supplemented to lead treated group significantly alleviated GSH, TP and albumin depletion and the elevation of ALT, AST, GST, ALP, creatinine and urea. These results indicate the protective action of tomato as a potential protective agent against lead toxicity. This may be due to multiple defense powerful antioxidants, fiber and glutathione which present in high levels in tested plant